On Wednesday June 26, Shape Corp. celebrated the grand opening of its second facility in Alabama with a ribbon-cutting ceremony that took place at the company’s new 202,306 sq. ft. location in Southpoint Industrial Park.

In addition to the new facility, the ceremony was also held to celebrate 50 years in business for the Michigan-based, tier-1 automotive supplier.

According to Shape Corp. officials, the facility on Endeavor Way will specialize in the production of lightweight aluminum and steel crash management and structural components for automobiles, enhancing vehicle performance and safety.

“This new facility represents our ongoing commitment to innovation and excellence in the automotive industry,” said Mark White, President and CEO of Shape Corp. “By expanding our operations in Alabama, we are not only increasing our production capabilities, but also investing in the local community through job creation and economic growth. We are excited about the opportunities this new facility brings to both Shape Corp. and the North Alabama area.”

The new Tanner facility is the company’s second Alabama location after the first opened in 2016. In an interview with HBJ, Mark White explained that Alabama, and the Southeastern United States as a whole, made logistical sense for the company to better serve their clientele.

“We have really important relationships with auto companies such as Nissan, Toyota, BMW, General Motors, Ford Motor Company, and we want to continue to grow those relationships,” explained White. “And we found that this region, the Southeast United States, is a growing region for auto production. Logistically, it made sense for us to be here to support our customers that are moving plants down in this region. So it was really a kind of a combination of these factors.”

Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle was also present to welcome Shape Corp. to the North Alabama area.

“We are glad to welcome Shape Corp. to our portfolio of suppliers supporting Huntsville’s growing automotive industrial sector. Shape’s strong record as a full-service, tier-one automotive and industrial component supplier will bring more jobs to our metro area and serve as a welcome addition to the region’s expanding economy.”

Angela Till, Deputy Secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce, spoke on behalf of Governor Kay Ivey.

“Shape’s new investment project in Alabama represents a milestone for a first-class manufacturer that is marking its 50th anniversary this year. Not only will this project allow Shape to expand its operations in North Alabama, but it will also create a significant number of jobs that will provide citizens with a career and valuable opportunities for leadership and skill development,” said Till.

The new facility represents a $74 million investment over the next five years. Altogether, Shape Corp. expects to create 80 to 100 new jobs within the next year alone.