Steel/Primary Metals in Alabama

Steel/Primary Metals in Alabama

Alabama has a rich heritage in the metals industry.  Birmingham, which was founded on the iron and steel industry, still has a strong metals industry.  And, the industry continues to grow in other parts of the state.

Fast Facts

With the announcement of ThyssenKrupp, a state-of-the-art $4.5 billion steel and stainless steel processing facility in Mobile, Alabama’s primary and fabricated metal manufacturing industries have the opportunity to build capacity and continue to be a significant part of the state’s economy.

Primary metal manufacturing exports from Alabama were valued at $582.2 million in 2007.

Fabricated metal manufacturing exports from Alabama were valued at $342.4 million in 2007.

Primary and fabricated metal manufacturing contributed $5 billion to Alabama’s $158 billion gross domestic product in 2006.

Alabama’s primary and fabricated metals industries represent 18 percent of the state’s manufacturing gross domestic product.

There are 15 National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS) certified programs in Alabama. NIMS programs improve the quality of training and foster partnerships between education and industry.

Leaders in the sector include:

American Cast Iron and Pipe Company - The world's largest individual iron pipe casting plant in Birmingham employs 2,600, with revenue approaching $800 million in 2005. The century- old company makes fire hydrants and valves for the waterworks industry, as well as electric-resistant steel pipe for oil and natural gas pipelines.

Wolverine Tube - Headquartered in Huntsville, Wolverine makes copper and copper alloy tube, fabricated products, brazing alloys, fluxes and lead-free solder in nine factories.

Phifer Wire - A world leader in screens for windows and doors, the 1,000-employee plant in Tuscaloosa also makes sun control windows and glass doors, aluminum round wire and fabric for outdoor furniture. Annual revenue is $70 million.

Alabama will soon be one of America's leading steelmakers as global powerhouse ThyssenKrupp builds a $4.6 billion carbon and stainless steel-making plant near Mobile. The 3,500-acre facility will employ 2,700 and annually make 5.1 million metric tons of steel when operations begin in 2010. ThyssenKrupp is one of the largest private industrial projects in the United States this decade.

Birmingham continues its status as the "Pittsburgh of the South" with a vigorous steel pipe industry. Statewide, primary metal factories annually generate more than $6.4 billion in revenue and employ 32,000. Metal service centers add another $3 billion in revenue and 7,400 employees.

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