Rigid Building Systems, an industry leader in engineered building systems, recently announced plans to build a $9.5 million facility in Gadsden, AL. The operation will manufacture Rigid's complete metal building systems, along with a full complement of accessories through the company's Millennium Building Components subsidiary.
“This facility will be the most comprehensive state-of-the-art facility in the industry," said company
president Fred Campana. "Many of the new designs that were used to revamp our Houston facility last year will be implemented into the design of the new facility. Only better!”
The 235,000 square foot project, including a 112,000 square foot facility that is expected to be operational by early July, will allow Rigid and Millennium to better serve customers in the Southeastern U.S. In addition, Campana said it will add corporate manufacturing volume to aid Rigid's Houston facilities which are already operating at full capacity.
“We plan to go ahead and complete the site work, footings and slab for the entire plant up front,"
Campana explained. "Phase two will include built-up frame and structural steel fabrication capabilities. Once the component facility is up and running in July 2006, work will proceed on phase two. In the first quarter of 2007, Rigid will have full frame and structural steel fabricating capabilities.”
The new Alabama facility will offer a complete line of commercial, architectural and agricultural panel systems. It will also have full cold form capabilities, rolling 4” through 12" cees, zees and eave strut shapes. Also included will be a trim shop with broad capabilities including slitting. Rigid will purchase fully-automated equipment including rollformers from ASC Machine Tools and folders from Bradbury. Rigid will design and manufacture all material handling systems, including robotics and CNC controlled machinery, for the new facility.
Rigid executives were joined by Alabama state and local government leaders for a ceremonial
announcement of the new facility in early December. Campana noted that sites in Tennessee had also been considered, before choosing the Alabama location. "We really chose Gadsden because of the efficiencies that we've seen here with the people that we're working with and, quite frankly, the incentive package," Campana said. "It was a good deal for us to come here."
He added, “The location of Gadsden, AL, is ideal to service our existing customers and our plans are to become the regional manufacturer of choice in the Southeast," Campana said. "We are already aggressively marketing in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia and Ohio."
Joel Voelkert, vice president of business development, has been introducing Rigid to the Southeastern marketplace and has been met by a favorable response. “The contractors and builders in the region are starving for a building systems manufacturer that can provide a reliable, quality product with service that can be counted on," Voelkert said.
The new Alabama plant will benefit from Rigid's staff of 130-plus engineers which allows the company to handle complex projects such as octagonal-shaped churches, schools and car dealerships. In addition, Rigid is an AISC MB certified manufacturer, ensuring product quality. As a complement to quality, the company also prides itself on service. "We believe in offering customer service to each and every client that we deal with," Campana noted.
Rigid was founded 15 years ago and has grown steadily since then, while building on a reputation for
quality products and customer service. Alex Ghodsi, executive vice president, said future expansion into the Western U.S. is also expected within the next few years.
I was a employee at the Alabama facility and i loved my job. I was a lead cold form operator and i just wanted to know if the plant may reopen any time in the future? I really loved my position more than any job i ever had and i would love to be able to return to it soon.Please reply.
THANKS
By Gary Wayne Frost
