State and local officials join The Westervelt Company in announcing a major expansion in Clarke County. A new lumber mill will be constructed in Thomasville, Ala., the second sawmill for the 134-year old company based in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
The Westervelt Company is expanding its wood products manufacturing business through the construction of a new facility that will produce Southern yellow pine lumber. The Thomasville Mill will join the company's existing facility in Moundville, Ala., which has been operating since 1997.
"This new mill represents our commitment to the State of Alabama and to the region," said Westervelt President and CEO Brian Luoma. "South Alabama was always our preferred location, and the local community offers the workforce and resources that will support our long-term strategy for this facility. We are grateful for the support of Governor Ivey, Chairman Rush and Mayor Day, and we look forward to being a part of this community."
"The Westervelt Company has long played a prominent role in Alabama's booming lumber industry and has done so while promoting good environmental stewardship," Governor Kay Ivey said. "I'm very excited to see that Westervelt is thriving and that they are building their second mill in rural Clarke County. This manufacturing facility is going to have a major impact on this area and give dozens of people a chance to earn a living from a trusted company."
"The Westervelt Co.'s deep roots in Alabama date back for generations, and I'm pleased to see this family business continue to invest and grow in the state," said Greg Canfield, secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce. "The company's new lumber production facility in Clarke County represents an important job-creating project for a rural area, and it will provide a boost for the forest products industry throughout the region."
"We are very proud to welcome The Westervelt Company to the region," said Clarke County Commission Chairman Jackie R. Rush. "I've been involved in these discussions from the beginning, and throughout the process, The Westervelt Company's team has been a pleasure. We're all looking forward to helping them succeed in our community."
"The City of Thomasville has been honored to be a partner with the Clarke County Commission, the State of Alabama and many others as we worked shoulder to shoulder to attract The Westervelt Company to rural southwest Alabama," said Thomasville Mayor Sheldon Day. "This project will have a tremendous impact on our community and our rural region."
"We're excited to be a part of this community," said Joe Patton, Vice President and General Manager, Wood Products. "It's not only a great fit for us because of the location and proximity to our resources and facility, but because this region and our new neighbors have so much more to offer."
The facility will produce approximately 250 million board feet of lumber annually and create 125 new jobs. The expansion will take advantage of the proximity of the company's timberland and other facilities, as well as workforce and existing customer bases.
"We are extremely happy that The Westervelt Company has elected to make a large capital investment in Clarke County and the Alabama-Tombigbee Region," said Frank Dobson, Director of Development, Alabama-Tombigbee Regional Commission. "The company has a strong history with the State of Alabama and will provide good jobs to our area while continuing their legacy of stewardship."
"The BID Group is extremely proud to be chosen as the turnkey supplier for The Westervelt Company's new sawmill facility," said Travis McDonald, Turnkey Solutions Senior Vice President. "We have a longstanding relationship with their team, and they are widely recognized throughout the industry as innovative and successful operators. Along with Westervelt's engineering group, we will construct a facility with a no-compromise approach to safety, efficiency, logistics and productivity."
Construction is expected to begin mid-2019, with operations beginning in late 2020.
About The Westervelt Company: The Westervelt Company, a privately held company headquartered in Tuscaloosa, Ala., was founded in 1884 and is currently under the fourth generation of family leadership. Westervelt is an industry leader in land management, wood products manufacturing and environmental mitigation. The company is recognized for excellence in sustainable forest management, responsibly sourced forest products and services, natural resource stewardship and ecosystem conservation. With more than half a million acres of land under Westervelt management, Westervelt's diverse businesses all work together to ensure the sustainable stewardship of natural resources today, tomorrow and for many generations to come.
About Thomasville: Thomasville is southwest Alabama's success story, and visitors can experience the true meaning of southern hospitality. The community is growing at a rapid pace with new industries and businesses relocating to the area, but continues to maintain a hometown feel. Home to five industrial parks, Thomasville is a community where it's "cool to be rural". A certified Alabama Community of Excellence, Thomasville is focused on citywide investments and creating an unexpected quality of life.