James Hardie Building Products will invest up to $220 million to open an advanced fiber-cement building products manufacturing plant in Prattville, AL creating 205 jobs. The company is a leading high-technology manufacturer of numerous types of fiber-cement products with a range of applications having performance and design advantages, including external siding, trim and panels as well as interior floor and tile underlay, which are sold in markets around the world under brand names such as HardiePlank, HardiePanel, HardieTrim, ColorPlus and HardieBacker.
“I am very excited that James Hardie has selected Alabama as the home for a major U.S. production facility and more than 200 well-paying jobs,” said Governor Kay Ivey. “I believe this world-class manufacturer has picked the ideal site, and I’m committed to helping the company find long-lasting success in Prattville.”
About a year ago, James Hardie began to explore the possibility of expanding its manufacturing footprint by constructing a new facility to produce fiber-cement building products for the Southern and Eastern U.S. markets. Prattville was selected after an extensive search process that focused on locations in several states.
“Prattville quickly became the preferred community for Hardie’s next plant due to its skilled workforce, proximity to critical resources and access to key markets,” said James Hardie CEO Louis Gries. “We were impressed by the overall engagement and ease in which we were able to get things done, which was made possible by the close partnership between James Hardie and the State of Alabama, Autauga County and the City of Prattville, and we look forward to working closely with them in the future.”
The new manufacturing facility will be constructed on a 103-acre site in Prattville’s South Industrial Park, an AdvantageSite-certified park located between U.S. Highway 82 and Autauga County Road 4. It is the largest industrial development in Prattville since a containerboard mill now operated by International Paper opened 50 years ago, according to Amy Brabham, economic development director for the Prattville Area Chamber of Commerce.
“James Hardie’s decision to locate this advanced production center in Prattville will bring high-paying jobs and new opportunities to people in the area,” said Greg Canfield, secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce. “This project also shows how our teamwork approach to economic development leads to valuable partnerships with great companies.”
In addition to Commerce, the recruitment team included the City Council and Mayor of Prattville, the Autauga County Commission, the economic development arm of the Prattville Area Chamber, utility providers, and the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA).
Infrastructure improvements at the site are part of the project. An access road and a bridge spanning a dual rail line are being funded through local sources, and all utilities are being pulled to the site. A secondary road and a rail spur are also being added.
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