Two existing Cullman County industries announced major expansions during a ceremony at City Hall Wednesday attended by a host of city, county and state officials.
Ron Burrow, divisional manager of aluminum boat dock, decking and railing manufacturer Flotation Systems, Inc. of Dodge City, announced the company is expanding to Cullman Industrial Park II as FSI Home Products, Inc.
At the same time, Mark Conover, general manager of fall protection equipment manufacturer Elk River, Inc., announced the company is relocating from its present plant in the John Carpenter Industrial Park to Cullman Industrial Park II.
"Elk River, Inc. was started in 1988 (by Terry and Phillip Clemmons), and over the years the company has gone from offering eight line items to over 2,500 line items. We've experienced tremendous growth. We began as a very small company that sold primarily in the Southeast region, and today we sell to all of North America and throughout the world," Conover said.
A majority of the company's business (roughly 90 percent) is done outside the state of Alabama and business has been good, Conover said, thanks to a strong economy.
"We're also a very service oriented company," Conover said. "The new building, we feel, will make us more efficient and enable us to continue to grow and be better able to employ more people throughout Cullman County and Alabama."
Elk River currently employs around 20 people. The move to a new 20,000 square feet manufacturing facility on a 16-acre tract in Industrial Park II near Summa, will initially enable the company to increase the number of employees to around 30.
The total estimated investment by Elk River, including land acquisition, building and equipment, is $1 million.
Flotation Systems, Inc. owner and president Jimmy Conn introduced the first all aluminum boat dock of its kind more than 16 years ago. The company continues to offer quality stationary and floating docks in addition to a gapless floor decking (marketed under the name LockDry) and matching railing (marketed under the name RailingWorks).
Flotation Systems will continue to manufacture the aluminum boat docks at its Dodge City location, while the new manufacturing plant will produce decking and railings as part of FSI Home Products, a division of Flotations Systems, Inc.
"Increased demand in these products, which are marketed throughout the U.S. and Canada, and an aggressive marketing plan have forced us to seek additional property," Burrow said. "The additional space will also open up opportunities for us to explore new product lines."
Flotations Systems currently employs an average of 50 employees. The new 100,000 square feet manufacturing facility on a 16-acre tract in Industrial Park II near Serta, will enable the company to employ an additional 25 employees.
The total estimated investment by Flotation Systems, including land acquisition, building and equipment, is $2.5 million.
Speaking on behalf of the Alabama Development Office and representing Alabama Gov. Bob Riley at Wednesday's announcement was Gary M. Faulkner, senior project manager for ADO.
Faulkner began his comments by noting that once again Cullman is setting the standard for the state when it comes to new and existing industry.
"Cullman had the most industry expansions in the state last year. Cullman is a wonderful area. You have a wonderful economic development program and wonderful existing industries and it's a privilege for me to be here today," Faulkner said. "I'm not sure I have ever been at an announcement where we had two existing industries announcing expansions on a single day. That is such a rare opportunity and I offer congratulations from the Alabama Development Office and the state of Alabama to both companies."
Faulkner presented Flotation Systems, Inc. and Elk River, Inc. with replicas of the Great Seal of Alabama.
Cullman Mayor Don Green also offered his congratulations to both industries.
"Cooperation is key to any community's success and it's obvious the city, county and state are cooperating and that's important," Green said. "Announcements like these today, I believe, indicate that we're on the right track and I want to offer my personal thanks to both companies for their continued commitment to Cullman and Cullman County."
Cullman Industrial Development Board Chairman John Apel said with success comes options and in the case of Flotations Systems and Elk River, he's pleased they chose to reinvest their time, talents, expertise and money back in Cullman and Cullman County.
Apel personally thanked the mayor and Cullman City Council for their support, along with the Cullman County Commission, city and county industrial development boards, county economic development agency and Director Sammie Danford, members of the Cullman County legislative delegation, and Cullman Economic and Community Development Agency, in particular Director Peggy Smith and Assistant Director Dale Greer.
Danford extended congratulations on behalf of her office as well as members of the County Commission, who were unable to attend the announcement due to a previous commitment.
"You've heard the word partnership here today. That's not by accident," said Kirk Mancer, chairman of the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce, who emceed the ceremony. "Those communities around the country that are achieving success are those who are focusing on what they can agree on and this community is working together in unprecedented ways. Thanks again to Elk River and Flotation Systems. We're glad to see you expand in the Cullman area and we look forward to working with you in the future."
According to Greer, Elk River is already in the process of grading its new site. There was no indication from Flotation System officials when they may begin preparation work at their new site.
