Georgia-based wire and cable manufacturer Southwire is expanding its Heflin operations with a $176 million project that will create approximately 85 new jobs in East Alabama.
"Southwire's continued growth in Heflin is proof that great things are happening in rural Alabama," said Governor Kay Ivey. "This expansion represents not only a significant investment in Cleburne County but also in the hardworking men and women who call this community home. With projects like this one, we're showing that rural Alabama is full of opportunity — and that companies like Southwire can find long-term success right here in our state."
The 340,000-square-foot expansion is part of Southwire's ongoing modernization efforts, according to Norman Adkins, Southwire's president and chief operating officer.
"Southwire has committed more than $1.8 billion into modernization efforts across our footprint thus far, and we continue to grow," said Adkins. "This expansion in Heflin reaffirms our commitment toward creating an extraordinary place to work – today and for generations to come." –
Southwire's Heflin plant, which opened in 1996 as Forte Power Systems to support medium- and high-voltage cable production, has already undergone three expansions. The planned expansion will support state-of-the-art production of medium voltage cables.
Local Southwire employees expressed excitement about the growth and look forward to the expansion.
"We're already seeing the positive impact these investments are making - through the projects that have already been completed at our site as well as many others around the company's footprint," said David McLendon, the site leader for the Heflin plant. "This new expansion enables us to create more jobs and opportunity for our community and further strengthens our ability to manufacture and deliver high-quality products that serve critical customers and markets around the world."
Heflin Mayor Robby Brown said the city is pleased to further strengthen its relationship with Southwire.
"We are thrilled that Southwire has chosen to expand its operations in Heflin," Brown said. "Southwire's nearly 30-year presence in Cleburne County has cultivated a strong and meaningful partnership with our community, contributing to economic growth and prosperity for many families who call Heflin home. This expansion brings new jobs and even greater opportunity to Heflin and the broader Cleburne County area."
Construction is expected to begin in late 2025, with equipment and capacity coming online in late 2027.
"The re-electrification of America will bring unprecedented opportunity for the electrical industry, and we stand ready to meet the needs that lie ahead for the markets we serve," stated Southwire president and CEO Rich Stinson. "We continue to purposely invest in modernization - across our facilities, equipment, systems, technologies and more - allowing us to best serve our customers and help power a more sustainable future."
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