Plastics manufacturer to build Alabama plant

02/23/2009

By Dan Carsen

Royal Technologies Corp., a Michigan manufacturer of products including automotive interiors and office furniture, has announced plans to build a new plant in Cullman County, Ala. Though no date for groundbreaking has been set, officials from Cullman and the Alabama governor’s office are hailing the $30 million investment, which is projected to create between 300 and 400 new jobs.

“The new jobs and investment Royal Technologies is bringing to Alabama will have a significant impact on people’s lives and the growth of this area,” says Governor Bob Riley.

As American car manufacturing continues to shift away from Detroit, Royal company leaders say the purpose of the project is to have production capability in the Southeast. One of Royal’s main products is automotive interior trim, including plastic fittings and control panels.

“We’ve enjoyed great success in Michigan and will continue to focus our efforts to grow in Michigan, but the Southeastern part of the U.S. has shown tremendous manufacturing growth and we want to capture a portion of that business,” says company founder and owner Jim Vander Kok.

Royal is in the process of purchasing 26.6 acres of land in Cullman Industrial Park #5 at the intersection of Highways 157 and 278. The company plans to set up a 125,000-sq-ft facility for plastic injection molding, foam molding, decoration and assembly.

The Cullman operation, situated on enough land to expand to almost three times its initial size assuming demand rebounds, will be the first Royal plant outside of western Michigan. The company employs about 800 people at four facilities there.

More News>>