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Honda launches Passport SUV production at Alabama facility
By Dawn Azok
LINCOLN, Alabama -
Honda Manufacturing of Alabama today celebrated the start of production of the all-new 2019 Honda Passport SUV, which will play a key role in the company's efforts to meet high demand in the U.S. light truck market.
Employees cheered as the new model was driven out in a ceremony that has become a regular event at the $2.6 billion, 4,500-worker plant in Talladega County. In the last four years, the factory has completed four major model changes, and it is consistently recognized as a crucial hub of Honda's global operations.
"Today, we celebrate the dedication of our Honda team in Alabama in delivering this new, adventure-ready sport utility vehicle to our customers," said Mike Oatridge, vice president of Honda Alabama.
Gregory Industries plans to invest $4.21 million in a galvanized steel mill project in Decatur.
The Decatur Daily is reporting that the Canton, Ohio-based Gregory Industries is converting a 100,000-square-foot building on a 13-acre site. The mill could see operations as quickly as next June.
Mid-Ohio Tubing will produce galvanized steel tubing for plumbing and lighting in building construction. The Decatur project will have tubing and roll-forming mills. The company plans to hire 20 people initially, including a plant manager, maintenance workers, machine operators and general workers.
DECATUR, AL (WAFF) - How do you get a supply chain in place in North Alabama for the new game-changing Mazda Toyota plant? It's a huge undertaking and a local group is leading that charge!
The new $1.6 billion facility being built in Huntsville could create as many 16,000 jobs on top of the 4,000 workers the car companies will be hiring.
"You'll also have the opportunity for people that will gain jobs through service industry- restaurants, hotels, banks, gas stations. You're going to see a lot of support businesses come into North Alabama. It's literally something we've never had," explained Brooks Kracke.