Gov. Kay Ivey announced that The Westervelt Company is expanding in Clarke County. A new lumber mill will be constructed in Thomasville, the second sawmill for the 134-year old company based in Tuscaloosa.
“The Westervelt Company has long played a prominent role in Alabama’s booming lumber industry and has done so while promoting good environmental stewardship,” Governor Ivey said. “I’m very excited to see that Westervelt is thriving and that they are building their second mill in rural Clarke County. This manufacturing facility is going to have a major impact on this area and give dozens of people a chance to earn a living from a trusted company.”
The Westervelt Company is expanding its wood products manufacturing business through the construction of a new facility that will produce Southern yellow pine lumber. The Thomasville Mill will join the company’s existing facility in Moundville, which has been operating since 1997.
“This new mill represents our commitment to the State of Alabama and to the region,” said Westervelt President and CEO Brian Luoma. “South Alabama was always our preferred location, and the local community offers the workforce and resources that will support our long-term strategy for this facility. We are grateful for the support of Governor Ivey, Chairman Rush and Mayor Day, and we look forward to being a part of this community.”
Economic Developer Nicole Jones told the Alabama Political Reporter, “Forestry and Paper Products is one of the state of Alabama’s dominant industries. Alabama has the second largest timberland base in the United States and is ranked Number 7 for lumber production.”
“The Westervelt Co.’s deep roots in Alabama date back for generations, and I’m pleased to see this family business continue to invest and grow in the state,” said Alabama Secretary of Commerce Greg Canfield. “The company’s new lumber production facility in Clarke County represents an important job-creating project for a rural area, and it will provide a boost for the forest products industry throughout the region.”
“We are very proud to welcome The Westervelt Company to the region,” said Clarke County Commission Chairman Jackie Rush. “I’ve been involved in these discussions from the beginning, and throughout the process, The Westervelt Company’s team has been a pleasure. We’re all looking forward to helping them succeed in our community.”
“The City of Thomasville has been honored to be a partner with the Clarke County Commission, the State of Alabama and many others as we worked shoulder to shoulder to attract The Westervelt Company to rural southwest Alabama,” said Thomasville Mayor Sheldon Day. “This project will have a tremendous impact on our community and our rural region.”
“We’re excited to be a part of this community,” said Westervelt vice president and general manager of wood products Joe Patton. “It’s not only a great fit for us because of the location and proximity to our resources and facility, but because this region and our new neighbors have so much more to offer.”
“What a blessing for Westervelt Co. to increase its presence in Alabama once again with a new wood products manufacturing facility in rural Clarke County,” Nicole Jones said. “The company has been in our state for 134 years, a presence that highlights Westervelt’s important role as Alabama continues to lead in the Forestry Products industry.”
The facility will produce approximately 250 million board feet of lumber annually and create 125 new jobs. The expansion will take advantage of the proximity of the company’s timberland and other facilities, as well as workforce and existing customer bases.
“We are extremely happy that The Westervelt Company has elected to make a large capital investment in Clarke County and the Alabama-Tombigbee Region,” said Frank Dobson, director of Development Alabama-Tombigbee Regional Commission. “The company has a strong history with the State of Alabama and will provide good jobs to our area while continuing their legacy of stewardship.”
“The BID Group is extremely proud to be chosen as the turnkey supplier for The Westervelt Company’s new sawmill facility,” said Turnkey Solutions senior vice president Travis McDonald. “We have a longstanding relationship with their team, and they are widely recognized throughout the industry as innovative and successful operators. Along with Westervelt’s engineering group, we will construct a facility with a no-compromise approach to safety, efficiency, logistics and productivity.”
Forestry and agriculture are the largest industries in Alabama and is an enormous contributor to the Alabama economy.
Construction is expected to begin in mid-2019, with operations beginning in late 2020.
