By Trent Moore
The Cullman Times
CULLMAN —
Due to an unexpected increase in business, valve manufacturer Cash Acme is expanding some operations from its Cullman location to a new plant elsewhere in the state.
Representative Heath Sharp said the Australia-based business is planning to open a second facility in Alabama, though the Cullman plant will continue to be an integral part of the company’s future plans.
“Our existing Cullman facility will remain the core manufacturing facility, and we will still distribute a significant amount from here,” Sharp said via e-mail. “Our plans for the Cullman facility are not greatly changed from what they were back when we opened the new warehouse in September last year.”
Sharp did not say where the new facility will be located, and messages left seeking additional information were not returned by deadline of this article.
It is unknown how many local positions may be transferred to the new facility, though Sharp did say no significant job losses are expected at the Cullman location. Cash Acme employs approximately 125 people, according to the most recent Cullman Economic Development Agency estimates.
“In terms of employee numbers, we fully expect to end the year with higher numbers than when we started, regardless of the additional warehouse and distribution facility mentioned above,” Sharp said. “So, the Cullman facility will retain its dominant position within our North American business.”
Over the past year, Sharp said Cash Acme has seen a huge increase in product demand — which makes the need for additional space more pressing than ever.
“What has changed since then is that we gained additional business, the extent of which was not obvious at the time,” Sharp said. “This new business is placing ever increasing demands on physical space. We now require significant extra space to house and distribute this particular product group.”
Cullman Economic Development Director Peggy Smith said her office spent months searching to no avail for a space large enough to meet the needs of Cash Acme in Cullman County.
“They’ve looked at every building available in this county, and all of the industrial entities have worked very hard to try and resolve this,” Smith said. “It isn’t just about having a building, but about having a building that meets their specific needs. We’re obviously disappointed we didn’t have an existing building to fit them, but when you’re talking about a facility that large, it’s good news and bad news. It’s a good thing we don’t have something that big sitting idle, but it’s bad that we didn’t have something here for them to expand into immediately.”
With no local facility to meet the company’s needs, Sharp said Cash Acme began looking to nearby areas for a place to expand.
“The current demands mean we have an immediate need — there is no time to build a new facility,” he said. “Unfortunately there are no buildings in Cullman nearly large enough to do this. So we are forced to locate an appropriate facility elsewhere, but as close as possible to Cullman.”
Considering the numerous recruitment options for industries in the current economic climate, Smith said she is encouraged that Cash Acme will continue to base their U.S. operation in Cullman.
“They are a very solid company, and as long as they’ve been here they have seen continual growth, additional capital investment, and have always been a great member of our industrial community,” she said. “All companies have options now, and are being recruited by other states and other countries, because everyone is investing in jobs. We’re honored that they will remain in Cullman, and that Cullman is still a key part of their strategy.”
‰ Trent Moore can be reached by e-mail at trentm@cullmantimes.com, or by telephone at 734-2131, ext. 225.
