DECATUR — Construction is scheduled to start in September on a Mueller Water Products foundry that company and community leaders described as state-of-the-art, with a sizable economic impact.

Up to 250 employees would work at the facility planned for a 30-acre site in the 2700 block of North Jasper Street, officials said. Those would be part of the company’s roughly 600-person workforce already in Decatur, where there is an existing foundry on Garfield Avenue and a manufacturing facility on Eldorado Street.

“It is, of course, a great day in Decatur,” Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe said during a news conference for community leaders to discuss the project.

“This is a very competitive process. Mueller took a long, hard look at Decatur. Despite the legacy, business is business,” she said. “They want to be in a community where they can thrive and grow, so we’re very excited about the announcement today and how much it secures those jobs for this community for years to come.”

The company’s foundry in the city makes water and gas transmission products, which are then shipped to other manufacturing facilities, including one in Decatur, for final fabrication.

The project is in the design phase, and a total estimated construction amount has not been finalized, said Ryan McCrady, president of the Economic Development Corporation of Decatur and Macon County.

McCrady said the current foundry will cease to operate after the new facility is constructed. It was unclear what the future of the facility would have been if the new foundry had been located elsewhere.

McCrady praised the community’s strong workforce and leadership from city, state and Ameren Illinois leaders who helped make the project happen. Talks about the project have been ongoing for years, he said.

“It’s a big deal,” said John Thompson, president of the United Steelworkers Local 7-838, which represents Mueller employees. “They’re making a huge investment in Decatur and we’re excited about this.”

Thompson said discussions about the project had been ongoing for quite some time. While rumors have circulated over the years that the company might move its operation away from Decatur, he agrees with McCrady that the existing employees played a big part in building the foundry here.

Mueller Water Products, Inc. is a leading manufacturer and marketer of products and services used in the transmission, distribution and measurement of water.  The Company offers a broad product and service portfolio including engineered valves, fire hydrants, metering products and systems, leak detection and pipe condition assessment. 

Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe and Mueller Water Products officials announced that the manufacturer will expand its operations in Chattanooga and create 96 jobs over the next three years. 

“I’d like to thank Mueller Water Products for its decision to create jobs and invest further in its operations in Chattanooga,” Rolfe says. “This expansion speaks volumes to our skilled workforce, Tennessee’s favorable environment for manufacturing companies and the strong partnership among the State, Tennessee Valley Authority and local officials. I’m encouraged by the creation of nearly 100 quality jobs in Chattanooga and look forward to the continued impact Mueller Water Products will have for the citizens of Southeast Tennessee.”

Mueller Water Products will invest in its domestic manufacturing capabilities and introduce additive manufacturing technologies to its foundries. The Chattanooga facility expansion is driven by growing demand for water infrastructure products among municipalities, and will support the expected future demand as America rebuilds its aging infrastructure.

“This is an exciting time for our company and we are very pleased to bring more job opportunities to the Chattanooga community,” says Scott Hall, president and CEO of Mueller Water Products. “The expansion of our Chattanooga facility will allow us to address the growing demand for U.S. manufactured water infrastructure products while also investing in growing cities like Chattanooga.”

The company plans to begin hiring between January and March 2019. It currently employs 604 Tennesseans and has additional locations in Cleveland and Chattanooga’s Innovation District.

“Companies like Mueller Water Products are driving Chattanooga’s wage growth and low unemployment,” says Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke.

“Mueller Water Products is a longstanding company locally with a history of creating solid jobs for Hamilton County residents,” says Hamilton County Mayor Jim Coppinger. “I congratulate the company on its latest expansion and wish it every success for the future.”

For more information regarding Mueller Water Products, visit their website.

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (Nov. 16, 2017) – BOCAR, a Tier 1 automotive supplier, plans to invest $115 million in a new plant to be built in Huntsville in Limestone County. The company will hire more than 300 people, adding to the state’s booming automotive manufacturing sector.

BOCAR company leaders made the announcement on Thursday at the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber along with representatives of the City of Huntsville and Limestone County.

“We are glad to invest in Huntsville, Alabama, where good infrastructure, talented people and a host of excellent universities will develop our business while contributing positively to the social and economic development of this community,” said Gerd Dressler, CFO of BOCAR Group.

The plant will be built on a site strategically located on the northern side of Bibb Garrett Road, adjacent to Interstate 65. This will allow the company quick access to be able to ship parts to automotive companies north and south of the Tennessee Valley. Construction is scheduled to begin in the Spring of 2018 and production should begin two years later.

BOCAR is a German company with a presence in the United States, Germany, Mexico and Japan. It is a high-end technology and quality-driven automotive company with extensive experience producing high pressure aluminum die casting, plastics and machining for companies such as Nissan, Ford, GM and Toyota.

“Alabama is a premier destination for the automotive and automotive supplier industries, and we are proud to welcome BOCAR to our state,” Governor Kay Ivey said. “BOCAR choosing Alabama is another sign our state is moving in the right direction and doing all we can to attract good-paying jobs for all Alabamians.”

“BOCAR is highly praised for its attention to quality and excellence,” said Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle. “And when a company like that puts its seal of approval on Huntsville, it is recognizing our pro-business climate and our highly skilled workforce.”

“We would like to welcome the BOCAR Group to Limestone County and we appreciate their confidence in our workforce,” said Limestone County Commission Chairman Mark Yarbrough. “We know that they will be a successful part of our future moving forward.”

“BOCAR is an innovative company that specializes in high quality precision parts and complex assemblies,” said Huntsville/Madison County Chamber President & CEO Chip Cherry. “They are highly regarded Tier 1 supplier to the automotive industry and we are proud that they selected Huntsville and Limestone County for their new advanced manufacturing facility!”

DETROIT  July 15, 2017 – The Engineering Society of Detroit (ESD) granted its 43rd annual Building and Construction  Award to FS&D for the Brembo North America Foundry

STAR PIPE PRODUCTS ANNOUNCES ACQUISITION OF JENSEN INTERNATIONAL

THE STAR PIPE PRODUCTS  NEWS

OKLAHOMA CITY  September 15, 2016 – The state of Oklahoma and Star Pipe Products today announced that Star Pipe Products has acquired the assets of Jensen International, headquartered in Coffeyville, Kan., and its subsidiary, Jencast of South Coffeyville. Jensen International is a diversified manufacturer providing casting, machining, metal fabrication, assembly and production of customized cast iron and ductile iron products. The acquisition will allow Star Pipe to continue the operation of manufacturing domestically made cast iron and ductile iron products in South Coffeyville. The company intends to expand the existing facility in Oklahoma and install new and updated equipment.

The company will retain the current workforce and expects to create approximately 260 new jobs over the next five years. The direct investment is expected to be in excess of $40 million.

Foundry Solutions & Design has been chosen to provide the engineering service.