First phase of HSAA expansion nears completion

It's been six months since HS Automotive Alabama broke ground on its second Enterprise plant, and the finishing touches of the first phase of construction are under way.

Enterprise Mayor Kenneth Boswell and HSAA Chief Executive Officer Harry Kim toured the 118,000 square-foot facility Dec. 5 to have an up close look at how the project is coming together.

The initial phase includes a 65,000 square-foot plant that will be outfitted with hi-tech robotics used in the production of weather stripping, tubing and pressure hoses.

Once construction is complete, the new plant will usher in 100 new jobs to the area.

The city and HSAA are in the process of planning an open house and job fair to show residents the current and new facilities.

"There are going to be some great opportunities for jobs and we want to get that word out," Boswell said. "Once we get this completely finished, our next goal is to sit down with Harry (Kim) and plan out a job fair and provide an opportunity for people to come in and tour the existing plant and show what's available (in the new plant)."

Boswell said the company is looking for good, long-term employees that are drug-free and have a good work ethic in that they take pride in the quality of work they produce. Training for all positions will be provided.

The new $12 million expansion comes 10 years after the company broke ground on its first Enterprise plant located in the Yancey Parker Industrial Park.

The groundbreaking led to a decade long relationship between the city of Enterprise and HSAA that has continued to grow and develop to bring in more jobs for Wiregrass residents.

"We started this journey in 2001 and to see the progress and the journey that we've been on is just phenomenal," Boswell said. "It's become a really wonderful relationship, but the added bonus is that we're able to create jobs for this area. When we started this journey, we talked, and he gave me his word and I gave him mine that we would create a partnership that would help him create a profit for his company, but he would also help me grow a city and we've both kept our word."

When the company first arrived in Enterprise, its main focus was on providing parts for Hyundai and Kia, but it now provides parts to multiple car manufacturers including Hyundai, Kia, Chrysler and GM.

The new plant will provide the space to facilitate an expansion of services to the car manufacturers.

"This plant is a new business opportunity," Kim said. "The other current buildings are manufacturing weather strips ... this plant will be (manufacturing air conditioning) hosing and pipes."

Boswell said the company has made a conscious effort to diversify its business to provide different parts to multiple companies.

"With that diversification it brings strength and it brings longevity in knowing that if one particular automaker is not doing too well in the industry then they can always have someone else to supply and make sure that the employment is up," Boswell said.

The first phase of the project will be ready to begin manufacturing parts by next summer, with the second phase complete by the end of 2014.

"It's been a good journey so far and we're not finished. We hope that there's more to come," Boswell said.