Winter 2006

QUIZ

Reports continue to be published about the decline in manufacturing employment in the U.S. Since the recession of 2001, the U.S. has lost over 2 million manufacturing jobs, or about 13.5 percent of its total. From December of 2004 to December of 2005, what was the percentage of manufacturing jobs lost in the South?

(a) 0.9% (b) 7.3% (c) 3.8% (d) 12.1%

(Scroll down for answer)

ALABAMA

Raytheon Building New Facility in Huntsville

Massachusetts-based Raytheon announced in the winter quarter it is building a 140,000-square-foot facility in Huntsville's Cummings Research Park. The new facility will house about 500 workers, including engineers, business developers, customer support personnel and administrators.

Janson Seals Expanding in Opelika

Janson Seals and Sleeves announced in the winter it is investing $2 million in its Opelika facility to boost production of wine capsules. The company also manufactures seamed film and heat shrinkable PVC tubing and packaging. The expansion will create about 20 new jobs and brings the total invested by the company in Opelika to almost $5 million since 2003.

Shipbuilder Adding 150 Workers in Mobile

Bender Shipbuilding and Repair announced in January it is adding about 150 employees as it invests about $10 million at its Mobile shipyard. The company has operated in Mobile since 1919.

Company Expanding in Cullman, Ala.

Rehau is expanding its plant in north Alabama. Rehau's Plant Cullman, which opened in 1995 to serve automakers in the Southern Auto Corridor, is expanding production of cross-linked polyethylene piping (PEX) that is used in the plumbing industry. The company is spending about $20 million to build a 200,000-square-foot facility and will add about 100 workers.

ARKANSAS

Texas Company Investing $100M in Arkansas

Woodlands, Tex.-based Tetra Technologies is spending about $100 million in the next few years as it develops a bromine plant and brine production wells near Magnolia, Ark., and adds a calcium chloride facility at its existing West Memphis, Ark. plant. The company's West Memphis expansion will allow it to take bromine from the new Magnolia facilities for use in the manufacture of clear brine fluids that are used in the oil and gas industry. The deal is expected to create about 100 new jobs.

Cement Plant Expanding

The Ash Grove Cement Co. is investing about $190 million in its cement plant in Foreman, Ark. Kansas-based Ash Grove took over the plant in 1985. It employs 160 workers.

FedEx Expanding in Harrison

FedEx is expected to add about 90,000 square feet to its 220,000-square-foot facility in Harrison, Ark. The deal is expected to create about 400 jobs; however, company officials have not confirmed that total.

FLORIDA

Simulation Company Expands in Orlando

Science Applications International Corp. announced in January plans to increase its operations in Orlando with the construction of a new $14.5 million, 80,000-square-foot building and the addition of 300 workers. When completed in 2007, the expansion will double SAIC's space and bring the company's employment to 700.

CuraScript Expands in Orlando

CuraScript Pharmacy is expanding its pharmaceutical distribution and patient management operations in Orlando. The company is one of the nation's largest pharmacy benefit managers. The expansion includes a capital investment of $7.2 million in the construction of a new 65,000-square-foot building near adjacent to the company's current Orlando facility and an additional $5.4 million in a new distribution center. The company expects to create about 350 new jobs.

Software Maker Hiring 150

Avisena, a developer of physician practice software is increasing office space in Miami and creating about 150 new jobs to its 100-employee operation. The company handles collection, billing, data entry and document imaging for physician's offices throughout the U.S.

Missile Facility Opens

In the winter quarter, Lockheed Martin opened its new missile center at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The Post Production Center of Excellence consolidates the company's fleet ballistic missile work that was being done in two different locations in Florida. The new center employs about 190 workers and delivers missiles to the U.S. Navy.

Italian Company Opening Plant in Winter Haven

Treviso, Italy-based Polyglass is investing $10 million and creating 80 jobs in Polk County, Fla. The company produces roofing materials and is purchasing an existing facility in Winter Haven.

GEORGIA

Gulfstream Adding Over 1,000 New Workers at Savannah Plant

Aircraft manufacturer Gulfstream, a division of General Dynamics, announced in early March it will invest $300 million at its facililities in Savannah, Ga. The deal is expected to create about 1,100 new jobs in five-to-seven years. About 5,000 workers are employed in Georgia by Gulfstream.

Wrigley's Largest U.S. Plant Expanding

Chicago-based Wrigley Jr. Co. is putting $48 million into its plant in Hall County, Ga. The facility is the company's largest manufacturing plant located in the United States. Wrigley, whose products include various candies and chewing gums, is adding about 200 jobs at the plant, which first opened in 1971.

YKK AP America Adding 200 Jobs in Dublin, Ga.

YKK AP America, a manufacturer of architectural building products, is expanding its facility in Dublin, Ga., investing $80 million and creating about 200 jobs to double the operation's capacity by 2010. The Dublin plant produces doors, windows and curtain wall systems under the YKK AP brand. The company opened its plant in Dublin in 1992.

Sara Lee Announces Georgia Distribution Center

Sara Lee Food & Beverage announced in late January that it will build a 214,000-square-foot center in Macon, Ga. The $24 million investment will be made on 33 acres at the I-75 Business Park. The deal will result in 140 new jobs.

Chico's Expanding Operations in Winder/Barrow County

Chico's, a women's specialty clothing company, is expanding its distribution center and opening an adjacent call center in Winder/Barrow County, Ga. The company's expansion will create 182 jobs and represents an investment of $10.1 million. Chico's, which opened 120 new stores last year, is headquartered in Fort Myers, Fla.

KANSAS

Farmers Insurance Expanding in Olathe

Farmers Insurance is building a 130,000-square-foot facility and adding about 100 workers in Olathe, Kan. Headquartered in Los Angeles and conducting business in 41 states, Farmers provides a variety of financial and insurance products. The company expects to add as many as 400 jobs to its Kansas City base of 800 within four years.

DHL Picks Kansas City for Center

Delivery and logistics company DHL is locating a $3 million distribution center in Kansas City, Kan. The new 69,000-square-foot regional sort center will house about 130 workers

Food Processor Building Facility in Leavenworth

Cereal Ingredients, Inc., a food ingredients manufacturer is relocating its production facility and headquarters to the Leavenworth Area Business Center. The company is constructing a 40,000-square-foot facility that will house about 50 workers.

Foam Manufacturer Growing

ACH Foam is adding another site near downtown Kansas City, Kan., and adding more workers. ACH has purchased the former 100,000-square-foot Pepsi distribution facility and will create about 35 new jobs. The company manufactures polystyrene foam insulation.

KENTUCKY

Dow Corning Expands Kentucky Plant

Michigan-based Dow Corning is investing $60 million in its silicone plant located in Carrollton, Ky. The silicone is used in a variety of industries, including the electronics, automotive and building industries. The company will hire an additional 30 employees during the expansion of the plant.

New Headquarters for Paducah

Marquette Transportation Co. is relocating to Paducah's Information Age Park. The transport company is investing $2 million in the relocation, which will create about 40 new jobs.

Sixty New Jobs for Hopkinsville

Maintainer Corp., a manufacturer of customized mechanic's trck bodies, lubrication truck bodies and extendable cranes is locating a facility in Hopkinsville. The company is investing $3.3 million on a 50,000-square-foot facility and will create about 60 jobs.

LOUISIANA

UK Motor Testing Company coming to Lake Charles

U.K.-based Laurence, Scott & Electromotors is planning a new plant in Lake Charles, La. The company makes electric motors and electro-mechanical power transmission products. The new Louisiana plant will be used for manufacturing and assembly of water treatment and pumping equipment. LSE expects to create about 60 new jobs.

MISSISSIPPI

Steel Fabrication Facility Set for Northeast Mississippi

Roll Form Group, a division of the Canadian company Samuel Manu-Tech, announced in the winter it is locating a steel fabrication facility in Tishomingo County. The facility is expected to employ about 70 workers and will be operational in the first quarter of 2007. Workers at the $22 million, 130,000-square-foot, heavy cold roll forming mill will produce custom formed components used in the automotive, construction and marine industries. The mill is being built near the junction of the Tennessee River and the Tenn-Tom Waterway.

Wood Products Company Plans Major Facility in Greenville, Miss.

Dallas-based Trio Industries Group, a finished wood products manufacturer, has purchased the 650,000-square-foot former Brinton's U.S. Axminster plant. The facility is located in Greenville, Miss. Trio is converting the plant in order to build kitchen cabinets initially. Other products will be developed and made at the plant, which is capable of four production lines of 100 workers each. Trio will begin production with 100 workers.

Packaging Supply Company Expanding to DeSoto County

Hot Springs, Ark.-based Sigma Supply is growing in the South. The company is building a new 195,000-square-foot warehouse in Walls, located in northern Mississippi near Memphis. The packaging company is investing about $6 million in the deal.

MISSOURI

Framing Systems Manufacturer Expands

EFCO Corp., a Missouri-based manufacturer of commercial glazing and framing systems, including aluminum windows, entrances, storefronts and curtain wall systems for the commercial architectural industry, is expanding its facilities in Monett, Mo. The company is spending about $2 million in the expansion and will create more than 100 jobs.

Call Center for Farmington

Accent Marketing Services, a subsidiary of Toronto-based MDC Partners, is opening a call center in Farmington that will house about 100 workers. The company is investing about $1.5 million in the deal.

Centene Adding 800 Jobs in St. Louis

St. Louis-based Centene Corp., is adding 800 jobs at a new headquarters it plans to build in the St. Louis metro city of Clayton. Centene's new headquarters includes renovation of its existing offices and two new office towers. The company expects to invest almost $200 million in the project.

Lowe's Building Distribution Center

North Carolina-based retailer Lowe's is redeveloping a former Nestle manufacturing facility in St. Joseph, Mo., into a flatbed distribution center. The company is investing about $15 million in the project and is expected to hire 35 workers. The center will serve stores in the central U.S.

NORTH CAROLINA

Door, Window Manufacturer Relocates to Rowan County

PGT Industries is expanding its hurricane resistant window and door business to an available 375,000-square-foot building in Rowan County. Florida-based PGT will spend $31 million on the relocation and will hire over 700 workers.

Air Conditioner Parts Maker Hiring in Rural Stokes County

Kobe Wieland Copper, which makes pipes and tubing for air conditioning products, has added about 40 jobs to its 500-employee plant in Stokes County, N.C. Stokes County, is located in the Piedmont Triad. The company has recently completed a multimillion dollar investment in equipment at the 550,000-square-foot plant.

Call Center Locating in Jacksonville

Fort Lauderdale-based PRC announced in February it is locating a new call center in Jacksonville, N.C. The company will hire about 600 workers. PRC is affiliated with New York based IAC/InterActive Corp., the parent company of Home Shopping Network, Ask Jeeves and Ticketmaster. PRC cited Jacksonville's location, which is near several military bases. The company expects much of its labor to come from the families of soldiers from those military bases.

Jobs Created in Columbus County, N.C.

Hart & Cooley, a supplier to the heating and air conditioning industry, announced in the winter quarter it is creating 180 jobs in rural Columbus County, N.C. The Michigan-based company is investing $5 million in the new operation.

Connecticut Company Picks Charlotte

Odyssey Logistics and Technology, a manager of cargo logistics, is hiring 300 workers and investing $2 million in Charlotte as it establishes its North American customer service center. The company manages shipments of polymers and chemicals.

OKLAHOMA

Boeing Adding Jobs at MROTC

The Boeing Co. is the first tenant of the Oklahoma Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul Technology Center (MROTC) at Tinker Air Force base in Oklahoma City. The company will hire about 325 workers who will perform contract modifications on the Air Force's AWACS aircraft.

Manufactured Home Company Moving to Anadarko

In the winter quarter, Showcase of Homes LLC announced it is moving to a 247,000-square-foot facility in Anadarko, Okla. About 5,000 manufactured homes will be built annually at the new plant. The company, based in Iowa, did not report how many jobs it plans to create.

SOUTH CAROLINA

Global Performance to Expand Engineering Headquarters

Global Performance LLC announced in the winter quarter it is expanding its engineering headquarters in Greenville. The company expects to hire about 80 new engineers in 2006 and about 200 new positions within the next two years. The company provides engineering, project and construction management to the process, automotive and institutional industry sectors.

Tech-Wood Picks Greenwood, S.C.

On New Year's Eve Tech-Wood, a Dutch manufacturer of wood composite materials, announced it will invest $150 million and create between 200-250 jobs in Greenwood County, S.C. The company uses a patented technology to manufacture wood composite materials that are used in products such as decking, railing systems, siding and other building materials.

QVC Building Distribution Center in Florence County

QVC, the television shopping network, announced in the winter quarter it is building a new distribution center on I-95 in Florence, S.C. The $75 million center is expected to house about 400 workers.

Michelin Invests $85M

Tire maker Michelin is investing $85 million over the next five years at its Earthmover tire production facility in Lexington, S.C. The expansion will increase production at the facility by about 50 percent and 70 new jobs will be created.

TENNESSEE

Another HQ for Nashville

Samick Music Co., is relocating its headquarters, manufacturing and distribution operations from California to the Nashville metro town of Gallatin. Samick, which makes musical instruments and is one of the largest piano manufacturers in the U.S., is building a 220,000-square-foot facility in the Gallatin Industrial Park. The company is expected to create more than 150 new jobs.

Massachusetts Pipe Manufacturer Relocating to Tennessee

The day after Federated Department Stores announced it will build a major distribution center at the Tennessee/Kentucky Industrial Park in Portland, Tenn., Titeflex Corp., announced it will relocate its pipe production operations from Springfield, Mass., to the same park. The company will construct a 154,000-square-foot facility at the Tennessee/Kentucky Industrial Park, which is located just north of Nashville near the Kentucky line. The Federated deal will result in about 500 new jobs and the Titeflex project will result in about 150 new jobs.

Big Deal for Boat Manufacturer

In the winter quarter, Cobalt Boats, one of the oldest privately-held boat manufacturers in the country, purchased a 375,000-square-foot building on 72 acres in the Tellico West Industrial Park. The park is located south of Knoxville on Tellico Lake. The new facility will produce about 200 large boats a year and will bring about 350 jobs to east Tennessee.

Colgate-Palmolive Picks Morristown

Colgate-Palmolive is locating a state-of-the-art toothpaste facility in Morristown, Tenn. The company plans to build a 150,000-square-foot plant in the Morristown Airport Industrial District, employing 220 workers. Morristown is located in the Northeast Tennessee Tri-Cities metro.

TEXAS

Cigna Adding 400 Jobs

Cigna Corp., is building a new 140,000-square-foot building in Denison, Tex., the result of a consolidation of two call centers in Sherman, Tex. The deal is expected to add about 400 new jobs.

Truck Manufacturer Relocating Headquarters to Denison

Terex Unit Rig, a maker of dump trucks for the mining industry, is moving its headquarters from Tulsa to Denison, Tex. The company, which operates its truck assembly plant in Mexico, will relocate about 20 workers and add about 50.

New Plant going up in Carrollton

A company that manufactures cosmetics and skin care products has begun construction on a new 350,000-square-foot plant in Carrollton, Tex. BeautiControl, which is headquartered in Carrollton, is expected to add as many as 100 jobs at the new facility, which will be operational in the fall of this year.

New Orleans Company Building Plant Near Houston

MECO, a maker of water purification equipment, set up temporary shop for one of its divisions in Sugar Land, Tex., after Hurricane Katrina. The company has now decided it will stay in Sugar Land, building a new plant that will produce piping and electrical assembly for water and steam production systems. The company will relocate about 30 workers from New Orleans and add about 65 more jobs in Sugar Land.

Publisher to Open Call Center in San Antonio

Virginia-based Harris Connect is opening a call center in San Antonio that will house 250 workers. The company conducts data research, publishes directories and provides Internet services.

Whirlpool Announces Second Distribution Center in Fort Worth

Whirlpool Corp. has announced its second distribution center in Fort Worth, Tex. The 724,000-square-foot facility will be operational in March and will initially house 60 workers.

1,300 New Jobs for Waco

Laurel, Miss.-based Sanderson Farms announced in the winter it will build a $61 million poultry facility in Waco, Tex. The plant will include poultry processing and a hatchery. Both operations will encompass about 235,000 square feet. The plant will house about 1,300 workers.

Big Call Center for Addison

Atlanta-based Home Depot is expanding its presence in the Dallas/Fort Worth region with a new call center that will create about 1,000 new jobs. The home improvement retailer is leasing 138,000 square feet of space in the city of Addison. The center will serve customers in the central U.S.

Raytheon Adding 175 Workers in Garland

Because of new classified, top secret contracts from the federal government, Raytheon's Intelligence and Information Systems division (IIS) in Garland, Tex., is expanding. The 2,000-employee operation will add at least 175 jobs. Raytheon's IIS division had gross revenues of over $2 billion last year. Raytheon is based in Waltham, Ma.

Washington Mutual Adding Jobs in San Antonio

Seattle-based Washington Mutual is relocating the company's new regional headquarters to San Antonio from California. The deal is expected to create about 1,000 jobs, which is the total employment Washington Mutual has currently in Chatsworth, Calif. The financial services company informed all 1,000 employees based in California that they will be relocating to Texas. It is too early to know how many of those employees will pick up and move to San Antonio with the company.

VIRGINIA

Merger Moves Headquarters from Boston to Newport News

In the fall 2005 quarter, Iceland Seafood merged with Icelandic USA to form the largest North Atlantic Fisheries seafood company in the world. In the winter quarter Icelandic USA announced it is moving its headquarters from Boston to Newport News. The company has already created 80 new jobs in Newport News and is seeking to hire another 90 workers. The company is investing over $1 million in its facilities in Newport News' Oakland Industrial Park.

Unarco Creating 194 Jobs in Danville

Oklahoma-based Unarco Industries announced in the winter quarter it is moving into a vacant Dan River building in Danville. The shopping cart manufacturer will invest approximately $9 million and create 194 jobs.

Mill Moving, Expanding in Roanoke

The Mennel Milling Company, a milling operation in the Roanoke area for 32 years, will invest $30.8 million to the company's facility to Roanoke County from the City of Roanoke. The company is moving because its current location is where the biomedical park is planned for downtown Roanoke. Mennel mills flours for Maple Leaf Foods, Nestle, Hershey and Interbake Foods. The move will enable Mennel to double production.

Southside Industrial Park Gets First Tenant

American Industrial Heat Transfer is investing $11 million to move its business from Illinois to the Roanoke River Regional Business Park, a joint venture between Mecklenburg and Brunswick. The deal is the first in the new park, which is located near U.S. Route 58 and Interstate 85. The company makes heat exchangers and will hire about 85 workers, including manufacturing, computer programming, sales and administrative positions.

Manufacturing Operation for Wythe County

Amcor PET Packaging, a manufacturer of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastic packaging for the beverage, food and non-food industries, announced in the winter it will invest $105 million to develop a manufacturing operation in Wythe County's Progress Park, creating 144 new jobs. The company will supply plastic bottles to the beverage industry.

Company Picks Newport News for Headquarters

Wolseley, the world's largest distributor of plumbing and heating products and a supplier of building materials to professional contractors, will invest more than $30 million to build a 220,000-square-foot North American headquarters facility in Newport News. The new location will add about 400 new jobs to the area; however, the company expects that to increase to 2,500 in 10 years.

WEST VIRGINIA

Graphite Producer Announces New Jobs

GrafTech International, a manufacturer of carbon and graphite products used in metal production, electronics, chemicals, aerospace and transportation is expanding its facility in Harrison County, W.V. The company, which has been operating for years in the Clarksburg area, is adding 60 new workers.

Italian Cement Company Investing $320 Million

Essroc Cement Corp., announced in the winter it will undergo a $320 million expansion of its plant in Martinsburg. Essroc is part of Italy's Italcementi Group, one of the largest cement producers in the world.

Alcan Investing $27 Million in West Virginia

Alcan Engineered Products announced in December it is investing $27 million to significantly increase plate production capacity at the company's Jackson County, W.V., operations. The plant, located in Ravenswood, W.V., is one of the largest aluminum rolling mills in the world. The aluminum plate produced by the company's 1,700 workers is used in the aerospace, aeronautical and automotive industries.

QUIZ ANSWER

From December 2004 to December of 2005, the South lost (a) 0.9% of its manufacturing employment. The South would have seen gains in manufacturing employment last year if it weren't for Hurricane Katrina. Louisiana lost 7.7 percent and Mississippi 2.1 percent of its manufacturing jobs in 2005, almost all of those after the hurricane hit.