The moving of production by S.I.P. Inc. of Delaware to Gadsden will increase production at the plant here by 70 to 80 percent and add about six jobs, a company official said.
The firm, which produces steel decking used in bridge construction, came to Gadsden in 2002 and is located in a building adjacent to the former Gulf States Steel property. It now employs 12 in Gadsden.
Marianne V. Pastor, vice president of Williams Industries, which owns S.I.P., said equipment will be moved from the company’s Wilmington, Del., location to Gadsden beginning in July.
She said the move should be completed by late July or mid-August.
The company said in a press release it was taking the opportunity to “right size” its operation.
“All of these measures were taken to reduce operating costs and to improve value for customers,” a press release from Williams Industries said.
Mike McCain, executive director of the Gadsden-Etowah Industrial Development Authority said the IDA has been discussing the possibility of the consolidation for about a year with S.I.P. president Danny Dunlop.
The IDA has been presenting information about the advantage of consolidating operations in Gadsden, McCain said.
“We’re obviously delighted that they made this decision,” McCain said.
Williams Industries was founded by Frank Williams Jr., who is on the company’s board of directors.
Williams was involved in an unsuccessful attempt to buy the assets of Gulf States Steel in an effort to reopen portions of the plant. The plant closed in the summer of 2000.
By Andy Powell
Times Staff Writer