News
In the News: Clayton Homes opens facility employing 270 in Russellville, expects to add 50-70 new jobs
Posted on July 28, 2014
Originally published by Al.com.
Nearly 72 hours after the Shoals learned it will lose 200 jobs following the closure of izzy+ in Florence, another company says it has created 270 positions at a new home building facility in Russellville.
A spokeswoman said Southern Energy Homes (SEHomes), a subsidiary of Clayton Homes, moved out of one of its home building facilities in Double Springs and has expanded at a new location in Russellville, which opened earlier this month with 270 employees. An estimated 50 to 70 new jobs will be added at the site on Highway 44.
A grand opening event will be held Aug. 8 in Russellville, a town of less than 10,000 residents in Franklin County. Officials declined to reveal exactly how much the building cost, but said it was a multi-million dollar investment by the company.
“We are excited to bring Southern Homes to Russellville and to join its growing community, while providing jobs and deepening our continued investment in the state of Alabama,” said David Brewer, general manager of SEhomes, in a statement.
The facility, which produces the company’s Southern Homes brand, sits on 27 acres, spans more than 176,000 square feet and will average 1,500 new homes each year.
The SEHomes facility has several features, including motorized decking and shingle systems, adjustable floor jigs, self-enclosed paint booths and remote controlled cranes. The building also allows team members to build larger homes up to 86 feet in length.
Systems Building Research Alliance selected SEHomes to build three homes for a 15-month test of energy performance. Each home complies with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) thermal standards, is ENERGY STAR® certified and meets the requirements of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Challenge Home Program.
The homes are stationed at the new Russellville facility and will remain on site for testing through July 2015.
The Southern Homes brand includes homes that are built to HUD code, require multiple inspection points and can be upgraded to ENERGY STAR® qualification. The homes produced in Russellville will be available across the Southeast.
AL.com has contacted the Alabama Department of Commerce and governor’s office for information on incentives tied to the expansion.
Gov. Robert Bentley is expected to attend the Aug. 8 grand opening, which will also include appearances by Clayton Homes executives and other elected leaders.
“When an existing Alabama company chooses to expand, more job opportunities are created for Alabamians,” said Bentley in a statement. “This new innovative facility will bring more than 50 new jobs to Russellville and the surrounding area. I appreciate Clayton Homes’ continued investment in Alabama.”
SE Homes, which was founded in Addison in 1982, operates under the divisions Energy Homes, Southern Estates, Southern Homes and SEtexas. The company was acquired by Clayton Homes in 2006.
Several companies have announced closures in the Shoals in recent months. Hillshire Brands plans to lay off 1,100 people when it shutters its Florence plant in December, while HON Company will cut 190 jobs with the closure of its furniture manufacturing facility. The area is already hurting from the loss of International Paper in Courtland, which employed 1,096.
PerformanceScrubs.com said it will create 50 to 60 new jobs in Florence by the end of the year with the launch of a new high-tech clothing manufacturing facility. Jack Daniel Cooperage and Remington Outdoor are also hiring workers at new facilities in North Alabama.