ALABAMA STATE EDITION
231
65
72 Florence
2
Huntsville
20 Decatur
72
565 59
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A Supplement to:
231
431
31
5
Gadsden
78 59 Anniston
20
Birmingham Bessemer
82 Tuscaloosa
65 280
20 82 Auburn
80
85
Selma
Phenix City
Montgomery
82
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“The Nation’s Best Read Construction Newspaper… Founded in 1957.”
Dothan
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Mobile
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Your Alabama Connection • Rich Olivier, Atlanta, GA • 1-800-409-1479
Polyplex Corp. Brings $187 Million Project to Decatur By Cindy Riley CEG CORRESPONDENT
The city of Decatur, Ala., is making history as the site of a $187 million construction project that’s being launched by the India-based Polyplex plant. It will mark the company’s first North American plant and will be located in Mallard Fox Creek Industrial Park. The site selected is already home to many of the city’s largest employers. “Decatur was a good choice for Polyplex for many reasons, including the strategic supplier agreement with the BP plant in Decatur,” explained Polyplex spokesperson Angela Wilson. “BP will be the primary supplier for one of the raw materials to our process. In addition to the raw material supply, the strong industrial base along with the skilled workforce available in Morgan and surrounding counties made Decatur the optimum site selection for this significant capital investment.” Company officials announced in July that the second phase should be completed in late 2015. The company also plans to relocate its U.S. headquarters to the site. The polyester film plant is under construction on property purchased for $1.7 million, with one of the local incentives including the clearing of trees and stumps from the site. With site excavation in the very early stage, construction will be a fairly lengthy process. Groundbreaking was held in July 2011. “This project is Polyplex’s first significant capital investment in the U.S. Additionally, it is the largest single capital investment
The city of Decatur, Ala., is making history as the site of a $187 million construction project that’s being launched by the India-based Polyplex plant. It will mark the company’s first North American plant and will be located in Mallard Fox Creek Industrial Park.
Polyplex has made in the company’s history,” Wilson explained. “There are challenges with any large project, but the difficulties are not driven by our parent company being overseas. We have assembled a very talented project team who have partnered with excellent strategic partners. Thus far, we are very pleased with the progress of the project.” Described as a global leader in high-performance plastic films
made of polyester and polypropylene, Polyplex Corporation Ltd. was established in the 1980s and maintains plants in India, Turkey and Thailand. Polyplex produces a plastic film used primarily in food packaging, and is considered one of the world’s largest manufacturers of thin polyester film. Polyplex CEO Sanjiv Saraf said the new addition, most likely operating in three shifts, will be its best to date. “When this plant opens next
year, it will represent our company’s largest single capital investment ever,” he explained. Amit Kalra, president and general manager of the company, stated, “We always felt we needed to have a significant presence in North America. We came to the point where we felt we needed to be closer to our customers.” Polyplex reportedly first looked at locating in Mexico, where costs would have been
lower; however, there were concerns over ongoing violence there, and officials were drawn to the high worker productivity in the United States. A handful of states were considered, before Polyplex tapped Decatur based on its sound infrastructure. According to Polyplex plant manager Jeff Hudspeth, “As with all construction projects, timing see PLANT page 2
Page 2 • December 14, 2011 • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • Alabama State Supplement • Construction Equipment Guide
Ala. Facility Marks India-Based Firm’s First in United States PLANT from page 1
and coordination are critical. To solve this we have an on-site project team working directly with the design and construction management teams for the duration of the project including the all-important commissioning phase. “We couldn’t have picked a better design firm to work with,” said Hudspeth. “We’ve always used a collaborative approach to design where we incorporate innovative ideas from the designer and internal project team members. Here we have utilized more of a designbuild approach to allow maximum speed while capturing the efficiency in design required from both a cost and technical perspective. At the end of the day one must always measure twice and cut once.” Construction on a 42-acre tract acquired from Steel Technologies began in August. The general contractor of the massive project, Graycor Construction, is making certain construction goes as smoothly as possible in working with its various subcontractors and carrying out the company’s mission. Still in the very early stages of building, the project is winning high marks from area business and community leaders who recognize the economic impact of the new plant during difficult economic times. Jeremy Nails, president and CEO of the Morgan County Economic Development Association, explained, “We were excited to have Polyplex select Decatur, Morgan County, Alabama for their first North American manufacturing facility and their largest capital investment in any single location. Polyplex is an excellent company and we enjoyed working with their site selection team throughout the decision-making process. “Their facility,” Nails added, “is a good fit for our community, and they will benefit from the excellent transportation and utility infrastructure surrounding their site. The creation of 150 high-wage jobs during this economy is more than good news for our citizens. Phase one of the plant will employ 100 workers at a $110 million facility. Phase two will add
another $77 million in equipment and another 50 employees. Polyplex is focused on end-use market for the flexible packaging and industrial applications, with the Decatur plant expected to be operational by late next year. “We are excited that Polyplex has chosen Alabama for their new production facility and for their U.S. Headquarters operation,” said Greg Canfield, director of the Alabama Development Office.
“Alabama’s economy continues to diversify with these 150 new jobs and Polyplex’s large capital investment shows their confidence in our state’s economic development team and in our workforce. We look forward to seeing them grow and prosper in the area.” The company is completely vertically integrated, upstream with its own feedstock resin and downstream in metalizing, silicone coating and extrusion coating, as spe-
cialty businesses, offering barrier films, release liners and thermal laminates. In 2010, Polyplex reported revenues in excess of $530 million. The company anticipates reaching $1 billion in revenues by 2013. A team from India is expected to be actively involved in the construction process; however, most employees Polyplex hires when operations begin are expected to be local. Polyplex plans to move its
North American headquarters from the Dallas area to Decatur when the plant is complete. The company reportedly began talking with Alabama officials in January 2011 and is expected to be fully operational by the third quarter of 2012. (This story also can be found on Construction Equipment Guide’s Web site at www.constructionequipmentguide.com.) CEG
“We are excited that Polyplex has chosen Alabama for their new production facility and for their U.S. Headquarters operation. Alabama’s economy continues to diversify with these 150 new jobs and Polyplex’s large capital investment shows their confidence in our state’s economic development team and in our workforce.” Greg Canfield Alabama Development Office
Phase one of the plant will employ 100 workers at a $110 million facility. Phase two will add another $77 million in equipment and another 50 employees.
Construction Equipment Guide • Alabama State Supplement • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • December 14, 2011 • Page 3
Announcing
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Volvo olv Construction Equipment Dealer da Panhandle For Alabama, the Florida and the Mississippi Gulf ulf Coast Full Line in Stock quipment will inventory V Volvo’ olvo’s complete omplete line of construction Cowin Equipment da locations. All models will equipment from each of 6 Alabama/Florida be available for sale or rent.
Parts and Service for All Models nd service support for all Cowin will also provide extensive parts and estment in spar models, including a tremendous initial investment inventory. Furtherr, r, the availability of V Volvo olvo factory trained mechanics in the region will increase several fold. Volvo is tthe world’s 3rd largest manufacturer of construction equipment.
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Page 4 • December 14, 2011 • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • Alabama State Supplement • Construction Equipment Guide
Construction Equipment Guide • Alabama State Supplement • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • December 14, 2011 • Page 5
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)T S HERE THE ONLY TRUCK THAT BRINGS TOGETHER NEARLY A CENTURY OF HEAVY EQUIPMENT ENGINEERING AND FOUR DECADES OF ON HIGHWAY ENGINE EXPERIENCE $ELIVERING ALL THE POWER PERFORMANCE AND DURABILITY YOU EXPECT FROM #AT PRODUCTS THE #LASS #4 IS LOADED WITH THE FEATURES AND OPTIONS YOU TOLD US YOU WANTED IN A NEXT GENERATION DUMP TRUCK CONCRETE MIXER WASTE CARRIER OR HEAVY HAULER )T S DESIGNED TO MAXIMIZE PAYLOADS DRIVER SATISFACTION AND UPTIME IN DOZENS OF APPLICATIONS !ND IT S BACKED BY THE BEST $EALER SUPPORT AND PARTS AVAILABILITY IN ANY INDUSTRY #ONTACT 4HOMPSON 4RACTOR TODAY OR VISIT $RIVE#AT COM TO PUT THE ONLY TRUCK WORTHY OF THE #AT NAME TO WORK FOR YOU &OR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT -IKE 0URSLEY AT
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Page 4 • December 14, 2011 • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • Alabama State Supplement • Construction Equipment Guide
Construction Equipment Guide • Alabama State Supplement • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • December 14, 2011 • Page 5
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)T S HERE THE ONLY TRUCK THAT BRINGS TOGETHER NEARLY A CENTURY OF HEAVY EQUIPMENT ENGINEERING AND FOUR DECADES OF ON HIGHWAY ENGINE EXPERIENCE $ELIVERING ALL THE POWER PERFORMANCE AND DURABILITY YOU EXPECT FROM #AT PRODUCTS THE #LASS #4 IS LOADED WITH THE FEATURES AND OPTIONS YOU TOLD US YOU WANTED IN A NEXT GENERATION DUMP TRUCK CONCRETE MIXER WASTE CARRIER OR HEAVY HAULER )T S DESIGNED TO MAXIMIZE PAYLOADS DRIVER SATISFACTION AND UPTIME IN DOZENS OF APPLICATIONS !ND IT S BACKED BY THE BEST $EALER SUPPORT AND PARTS AVAILABILITY IN ANY INDUSTRY #ONTACT 4HOMPSON 4RACTOR TODAY OR VISIT $RIVE#AT COM TO PUT THE ONLY TRUCK WORTHY OF THE #AT NAME TO WORK FOR YOU &OR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT -IKE 0URSLEY AT
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Page 6 • December 14, 2011 • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • Alabama State Supplement • Construction Equipment Guide
Montgomery • Jefferson • Talladega • Calhoun • Russell • Walker • Lawrence • Dekalb • Morgan • St. Clair • Tuscaloosa • Morgan • Shelby •Alabama… Bibb •Hale • Fayette • Marion • Winston • Cullman • Shelby • Chilton • Chambers • Covington • Baldwin • Clarke • Monroe • St. Clair • Chilton • Escambia• Montgomery • Jefferson • Russell • Fayette • Conecuh • Coffee • Geneva • Montgomery • Jefferson • Talladega • Bibb • Coffee • Calhoun • Russell • • Walker• Lawrence• Dekalb • Morgan • St. Clair • Tuscaloosa • Bibb• Hale • Fayette • Monroe • Clarke • Winston • Cullman • Shelby • Chilton • Chambers • Covington • Baldwin • Clarke • Monroe • Montgomery • Jefferson • Talladega
‘The Yellowhammer State’ Highway Project Lettings
The Alabama State Department of Transportation received bids for transportation-related improvement projects. Following is a list of some of the projects let. County: Mobile Contract ID: BRF-0158(501) Project: Bridge replacement (WBR) and approaches on SR-158 at Chickasaw Creek in Prichard. Distance: 0.71 mi. Contractors and Bid Amounts: • Racon Inc. — $3,607,126 • John G. Walton Construction Company Inc. — $3,815,249 • Murphree Bridge Corporation — $4,001,065 County: Etowah Contract ID: NH-RECA-0001(564) and HSIP-NH0074(527) Project: Planing, resurfacing and traffic stripe on SR-1 (US-431) & SR-74 (U.S.-278) from the south end of the Meighan Boulevard Bridge to the east city limit of Gadsden. Distance: 3.01 mi. Contractors and Bid Amounts: • McCartney Construction Company Inc. — $1,451,079 • Good Hope Contracting Company Inc. — $1,508,255 Counties: Cleburne and Calhoun Contract ID: EB-HSIP-0001(566) Project: Planing, resurfacing and traffic stripe on SR-1 (US-431) from south of SR-9 to U.S.-78 east of Anniston. Distance: 7.76 mi. Contractors and Bid Amounts: • Apac Mid-South Inc. — $2,787,018 • McCartney Construction Company Inc. — $2,899,916 County: Shelby Contract ID: EB-HSIP-0025(524) Project: Planing, resurfacing and traffic stripe on SR-25 from 0.2 mi. north of CR-73 in Montevallo to CR-310 in Calera. Distance: 8.50 mi. Contractors and Bid Amounts: • Dunn Construction Company Inc. — $1,893,882 • Wiregrass Construction Company Inc. — $1,969,655 • Apac Mid-South Inc. — $2,377,023 County: Montgomery Contract ID: STPAA-HSIP-0271(502) and ST-051-271002 Project: Turn lane extension, planing, resurfacing and traffic stripe on SR-271 (Taylor Road) in Montgomery at sites as indicated by the plans. Distance: 1.90 mi.
Contractors and Bid Amounts: • Asphalt Contractors Inc. — $1,626,280 • Apac Mid-South Inc. — $1,656,000 • Wiregrass Construction Company Inc. — $1,726,643 County: Madison Contract ID: STPAA-STPHV-0001(531) Project: Intersection improvements (grade, drainage and pavement) on SR-1 (US-431) at CR-321 (Dug Hill Road) in Huntsville. Distance: 0.77 mi. Contractors and Bid Amounts: • Angelo Iafrate Construction Company d/b/a Angelo Iafra — $5,445,590 • Reed Contracting Services Inc. — $5,781,223 • E. O. Byars Construction Inc. — $5,922,194 Counties: Butler and Lowndes Contract ID: IM-I065(409) Project: Planing, resurfacing and traffic stripe on I-65 from south of the Lowndes county line (MP 139.365) to south of SR-97 (EXIT 151) (MP 150.560) at Letohatchee. Distance: 11.19 mi. Contractors and Bid Amounts: • Apac Mid-South Inc. — $10,479,660 • Wiregrass Construction Company Inc. — $11,450,899 County: Washington Contract ID: BRF-0017(506) and NH-0017(521)
Project: Bridge replacement, culvert extensions and approaches on SR-17 (U.S.-45) at Long Branch and Flat Branch southeast of Deer Park. Distance: 1.36 mi. Contractors and Bid Amounts: • Hosea O. Weaver & Sons Inc. — $5,494,138 • John G. Walton Construction Company Inc. — $5,838,112 • Grady Ralls & Sons Inc. — $5,880,892 County: Blount Contract ID: BR-0075(510) Project: Bridge replacement and approaches on SR-75 at the calvert prong of the Little Warrior River north of Oneonta. Distance: 0.47 mi. Contractors and Bid Amounts: • Racon Inc. — $4,416,361 • Alabama Bridge Builders Inc. — $4,431,979 • R. R. Dawson Bridge Company LLC — $4,493,136 County: Lowndes Contract ID: NH-0008(555) Project: Planing, resurfacing and traffic stripe on SR-8 (U.S.-80) from west of CR-23 (MP 106.100) to east of SR97 (MP 113.070) in Lowndesboro. Distance: 6.96 mi. Contractors and Bid Amounts: • Wiregrass Construction Company Inc. — $3,886,194 • Asphalt Contractors Inc. — $3,907,244 • Apac Mid-South Inc. — $4,370,200
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Page 8 • December 14, 2011 • www.constructionequipmentguide.com • Alabama State Supplement • Construction Equipment Guide
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