Bob Dylan once lamented that he was "stuck inside of Mobile with the Memphis blues again." For manufacturers, though, rather than being a dead end, Mobile is becoming a destination of choice to locate their operations. In May, for instance, German steelmaker ThyssenKrupp AG announced that it plans to build a $4.19 billion steel plant just north of the city.
Mobile is located on the Gulf Coast, and the Alabama Port Authority's decision to build a new terminal on Pinto Island near Mobile played a major role in ThyssenKrupp's decision to locate there, the Associated Press reported. The new steel mill scheduled to open in 2010 will process flat carbon steel and stainless steel and is expected to employ approximately 2,700 people. The plant is reportedly the largest ever announced in Alabama.
In February, IndustryWeek's sister magazine Expansion Management ranked Mobile No. 27 on its list of "America's 50 Hottest Cities" to expand or relocate facilities.
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About the Author
Jonathan Katz
Former Managing Editor
Former Managing Editor Jon Katz covered leadership and strategy, tackling subjects such as lean manufacturing leadership, strategy development and deployment, corporate culture, corporate social responsibility, and growth strategies. As well, he provided news and analysis of successful companies in the chemical and energy industries, including oil and gas, renewable and alternative.
Jon worked as an intern for IndustryWeek before serving as a reporter for The Morning Journal and then as an associate editor for Penton Media’s Supply Chain Technology News.
Jon received his bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Kent State University and is a die-hard Cleveland sports fan.