Dura Automotive Systems on Thursday held a grand opening for the company’s Muscle Shoals manufacturing facility, which will produce electric vehicle battery enclosures.
According to a release, the company’s 200,000-square-foot facility is expected to create 270 full-time jobs at peak production. Dura’s overall investment in the facility amounts to an estimated $75 million. Dura’s operations will supply Mercedes-Benz with electric vehicle battery enclosures at the luxury vehicle company’s Bibb County assembly plant.
Joining Dura for the unveiling of its state-of-the-art facility was Gov. Kay Ivey, who hailed its upcoming contributions to Alabama’s robust automotive industry.
“It has been 25 years since Mercedes-Benz helped launch our automotive industry, and in that time, Alabama has grown to become a national leader in vehicle exports,” declared Ivey. “I’m incredibly excited to welcome Dura Automotive Systems to Alabama’s booming automotive industry, and I look forward to seeing this company continue to grow in our great state.”
Dura’s Alabama facility is its first lightweight structures investment in North America. Advanced robotics and proprietary forming will be utilized at its Muscle Shoals manufacturing site to create lightweight structures used for electric vehicle battery systems.
Dura CEO Carl Beckwith praised his company’s workforce in enabling its investment in the electric vehicle industry.
“This milestone event celebrates our continued partnership with customers to accelerate the transition to electrified, high-performance vehicles,” stated Beckwith. “On behalf of Dura and our investors, I extend appreciation to our employees, Mercedes-Benz, and the many individuals in the government and supply base that worked above and beyond to make this vision a reality. Your accomplishment adds yet another steppingstone along the path toward a zero-emission future.”
The Muscle Shoals factory boasts a number of safety, efficiency and environmentally clean features. This includes more than 60 robots, over 500 light curtains, lasers, and proximity switches for safety purposes, extensive LED lighting and advanced water treatment systems.
Paul Underwood, Muscle Shoals plant manager, indicated that the facility’s advanced features would serve to benefit the local economy.
“I am thrilled with the teamwork employed to build this impressive new facility and even more excited about the career opportunities it creates,” said Underwood. “This was a truly collaborative effort with local and global technology experts working hand-in-hand to bring to life an amazing site that will be the foundation for additional job creation in our community.”
Due to a collaborative effort with Dura’s technical teams, suppliers and government officials, the facility’s planning and construction were completed in just eight months.
The company’s Alabama facility is becoming operational at a time when Mercedes plans to build two luxury electric vehicle sport utilities at its Tuscaloosa assembly plant this year.
Alabama Department of Commerce secretary Greg Canfield suggested that Dura’s investment is an indication the state’s automotive industry is poised for continued growth.
“The opening of Dura’s highly advanced EV battery enclosure manufacturing facility in Muscle Shoals reflects the expanding capabilities of the automotive supply chain for electric vehicle production in Alabama,” advised Canfield. “Our auto sector is fully focused on what the future holds for the industry and will continue to evolve to meet all challenges.”
Dylan Smith is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL
