Alabama is in the top-5 states in the USA for production of cars and light trucks.
In 2018, Alabama automakers combined to produce around 1 million cars and light trucks. Toyota, Honda, and Hyundai also produced nearly 1.6 million engines in 2018.
Chilton County’s Cluster of Automotive Suppliers
Adient
The largest employer in Chilton County, Adient is a leader in automotive industry in manufacturing seating. In fact, one out of every three seats in the world of automobiles comes from an Adient facility. Adient produces 25 million seats a year in their global locations. The Adient plant within Chilton County employs 950 people and works to supply a wide range automotive companies. Click here for more information about the plant.
KUMI Manufacturing
Established in 2001, KUMI Manufacturing is a full-service provider of high-quality plastic injection molding parts for the automotive industry. Click here for more information about the plant.
Major Automotive OEM Plants in Alabama
Mercedes
Located an hour from Chilton County in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, Mercedes has their worldwide production for the GLE, GLS and GLE Coupe SUVs, as well as for the C-Class sedan for North America. In 2018, the plant produced approximately 240,000 vehicles and currently employs more than 3,700. Additionally, Mercedes supports 10,000+ jobs at suppliers and service providers in the region. In 2017, Mercedes announced a $1 billion expansion into the region. Learn more about the facility and expansion.
Hyundai
Located 30 minutes from Chilton County in Montgomery, Alabama, Hyundai has a $1.7 billion plant employing over 3,000 people. This plant produces Hyundai Sonatas, Elantras, and Santa Fes. Over 72 suppliers have located across North America to help support this plant. Learn more about the facility.
Toyota
Located two hours from Chilton County, Toyota has a car and truck engine factory in Huntsville, Alabama, which manufactures engines for the Toyota Tacoma, Highlander, Tundra, and Sequoia. The plant employs 1,100+.
Honda
Located one hour from Chilton County, Honda has an auto factory in Lincoln, Alabama, where they manufacture the Honda Odyssey, Pilot, and Ridgeline. The plant employs 4,000 people.
Proximity to Automotive OEM Plants in Southeast
Mazda Toyota Joint Venture Announcement
Mazda Motor Corporation and Toyota Motor
Corporation have established their new joint-venture company “Mazda Toyota
Manufacturing, U.S.A., Inc.” (MTMUS) that will produce vehicles in Huntsville,
Alabama starting in 2021.
The new plant will
have the capacity to produce 150,000 units of Mazda’s crossover model that will
be newly introduced to the North American market and 150,000 units of the
Toyota Corolla. The facility is expected to create up to 4,000 jobs. Toyota and
Mazda are investing $1.6 billion towards this project with equal funding
contributions.
Number of Automotive and Automotive Support Companies Within Our Labor Shed
39 Machine Shops
23 Fabricated Structural Metal Manufacturing Companies
15 Plastics Product Manufacturing Companies
12 Foundries
8 Electrical Equipment Manufacturing Companies
7 Motor Vehicle Seating and Interior Trim Manufacturing Companies
5 Other Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing Companies
4 Engine, Turbine, & Power Transmission Equipment Companies
3 Metal Coating and Allied Services to Manufacturers Companies
3 Automobile Manufacturing Companies
2 Motor Vehicle Metal Stamping Companies
1 Paint and Coating Manufacturing Companies
1 Fabricated Wire Product Manufacturing Companies
1 Motor Vehicle Brake System Manufacturing Companies
1 Motor Vehicle Electrical and Electronic Equipment Manufacturing Companies
1 Motor Vehicle Gasoline Engine and Engine Parts Manufacturing Companies
1 Motor Vehicle Transmission and Power Train Parts Manufacturing Companies
Engineers in Labor Shed
485 Industrial Engineers
379 Electrical Engineers
304 Mechanical Engineers
Skilled Labor
The labor shed has seen the following growth in Automotive related jobs over the last 5 years:
88% growth in people employed in Motor Vehicle Brake System Manufacturing
63% growth in people employed in Motor Vehicle Electrical and Electronic Equipment Manufacturing
56% growth in people employed as Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders
37% growth in people employed as Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
32% growth in people employed in Other Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing
22% growth in people employed as Industrial Machinery Mechanics
20% growth in people employed as Mechanical Engineers
19% growth in people employed as Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
16% growth of people employed as Industrial Engineers
9% growth in people employed as Assemblers and Fabricators, Including Team Assemblers
6% growth in people employed as Electrical Engineers
4% growth in people employed as Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal
3% growth in people employed as Industrial Engineering Technicians
3% growth in people employed in Automobile Manufacturing
2% growth in people employed as Mechanical Drafters
The Chilton County labor shed is home to highly skilled workers in the automotive sector. Below are a few examples of how our workforce compares to the United States average:
28.7 times the US average of people employed in Automobile Manufacturing
12.5 times the US average of people employed in Motor Vehicle Seating and Interior Trim Manufacturing
7.8 times the US average of people employed in Motor Vehicle Brake System Manufacturing
6.7 times the US average of people employed in Motor Vehicle Gasoline Engine and Engine Parts Manufacturing
3.9 times the US average of people employed in Motor Vehicle Electrical and Electronic Equipment Manufacturing
3.7 times the US average of people employed in Other Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing
3.1 times the US average of people employed as Assemblers and Fabricators, Including Team Assemblers
3 times the US average in of people employed Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing
2.6 times the US average of people employed as Industrial Machinery Mechanics
2.5 times the US average of people employed as Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal
Over the US average of people employed in Motor Vehicle Metal Stamping
Over the US average of people employed as Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Over the US average of people employed as Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Over the US average of people employed as Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
Over the US average of people employed as Tool and Die Makers
Over the US average of people employed as Electrical Engineers
The following quantities of skilled workers are currently
employed in our region:
5,285 employed as Assemblers and Fabricators, Including Team Assemblers
4,701 workers employed in Automobile Manufacturing
1,205 workers employed in Motor Vehicle Seating and Interior Trim Manufacturing
1,199 employed as Industrial Machinery Mechanics
857 employed as Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
837 employed as Electricians
725 workers employed in Other Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing
615 employed as Machinists
579 employed as Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal
539 workers employed in Motor Vehicle Gasoline Engine and Engine Parts Manufacturing
485 workers employed as Industrial Engineers
417 workers employed in Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing
379 employed as Electrical Engineers
337 employed as Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
336 employed as Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders
315 workers employed in Motor Vehicle Electrical and Electronic Equipment Manufacturing
304 employed as Mechanical Engineers
254 workers employed in Motor Vehicle Brake System Manufacturing
202 workers employed in Motor Vehicle Metal Stamping
149 employed as Tool and Die Makers
143 employed as Sheet Metal Workers
114 employed as Industrial Engineering Technicians
Automotive Supply Chain
The Chilton County labor shed has an advantage to recruit automotive
companies based on a review of industry purchases within the region and supply
chain. Companies within these sectors would have an opportunity due to the
demand for automotive products. This is based on the following supply chain statistics:
$188.3 million Motor Vehicle Metal Stamping
products are being purchased within the Chilton County Region. Currently, only $26
million of these products are being manufactured in the region, with over $162
million being imported from outside the region.
$184.6 million Motor Vehicle Seating and
Interior Trim Manufacturing products are being purchased within the Chilton
County Region. Currently, only $29 million of these products are being
manufactured in the region, with over $154 million being imported from outside
the region.
$152.2 million Motor Vehicle Gasoline Engine and
Engine Parts Manufacturing products are being purchased within the Chilton
County Region. Currently, only $100 million of these products are being
manufactured in the region, with over $51 million being imported from outside
the region.
$143.4 million Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing
products are being purchased within the Chilton County Region. Currently, only
$31 million of these products are being manufactured in the region, with over $112
million being imported from outside the region.
$141.4 million Motor Vehicle Transmission and
Power Train Parts Manufacturing products are being purchased within the Chilton
County Region. Currently, only $148,000 million of these products are being
manufactured in the region, with over $141 million being imported from outside
the region.
Training and Education
Auburn University Students in any engineering major may choose to minor in automotive engineering and manufacturing. Three curriculum tracks are available: industrial and systems engineering, mechanical engineering, and car team tracks. The courses required for the minor may require prerequisites that will not count toward the student’s major or toward the minor.Auburn University. Click here to learn more.
The Center for Advanced Vehicle Technologies (CAVT) is a University of Alabama Research Center dedicated to the advancement of vehicle technology. Based on unique, interdisciplinary research and education programs, it strives to provide the vehicular industry with novel ideas, scientific consultation, as well as new generations of engineers and scientists formed in the latest technologies in this field. Located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, on the campus of the University of Alabama, it is at the heart of the automotive industry emergence in the United States Southeast region. Learn more about CAVT.
AIDT is recognized as one of the top 5 workforce training agencies in the US. Their services include:
Pre-Employment
(Training Development, Videography, Media and Project Support)
Post-Employment/On-the-Job
Training Support
Maintenance
Assessments
Safety Assistance
and Training
Leadership
Development
Process
Improvement (Continuous Improvement)
Alabama Technology Network (ATN):
Today’s demanding global marketplace not only encourages continual improvements in profitability and productivity—it demands it. That is where this innovative collaboration comes in, a strategic partnership between Alabama’s community colleges, the University of Alabama System, Auburn University, and the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama.
Strategic advice
and training is available from ATN in more than a half dozen areas including:
Information technology
Lean manufacturing
Quality systems and engineering
Environmental safety and health
Human resources and organizational development
Business services and management
Industrial maintenance
Engineering and technical services
Community College Programs
Jefferson State
Community College offers an Automotive Manufacturing Technology Program with
the following courses:
Introduction to Automotive Concepts
Manufacturing Fundamentals
Blueprint Reading for Manufacturing
Principles of Industrial Electricity
Programmable Logic Controllers
Introduction to Robotics
Industrial Controls
Fundeamentals of Industrial Hydraulics and
Pneumatics
Principles of Refrigeration
Die Maintenace and Repari
Mechanilcal Tools
Blueprint Reading for Machinists
Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing
Basic CAD
Introduction to Weld Technologies and Projection Welding
Applications
Principles of Industrial Maintenance Welding and Metal
Cutting Techniques
Special Topics (Welding)
Advanced PLC Application and Design
Preventive and Predictive Maintenance
Advanced Motor Drives
Computer Integrated Manufacturing
Materials
Quality Auditing
Advanced CAD
Advanced Solid Modeling
Robotic Programming and Welding
Robotic Mig Welding
Utilities
Electric Utilities
Alabama Power
Operated by the Southern Company
$5.5 billion in annual revenue
Supplies over 1.4 million customers
Alabama Power actively supports economic and community development throughout its area.
Click Here to read more about economic development support.
Central Alabama Electric Co-Op
Central Alabama Electric Cooperative is a not for profit, member-owned electricdistribution utility.
The cooperative’s service area covers most of the rural areas of Autauga, Elmore, Coosa, and Chilton counties as well as members in Tallapoosa, Talladega, Bibb, Perry, Dallas, and Lowndes counties.
The cooperative is a $199 million company with 5,500 miles of line.
Central Alabama Electric Cooperative actively supports economic and community development throughout its area.
Click Here to read more about economic development support.
Natural Gas
Spire
Serves more than 1.7 million customers
Fifth largest publicly traded natural gas company in the country
Transportation:
Road Access
Chilton County is located on Interstate 65, halfway between Birmingham and Montgomery.
Class I Rail Access
Rail service is provided by CSX and Norfolk Southern.
Air Service
Chilton County has a municipal FBO airport with commercial service being available in Montgomery, Birmingham, both less than an hour away and Atlanta 2.5 hours away.