Birmingham has more advanced materials & machinery.
The Greater Birmingham Region was built on steel because of the area’s abundant iron ore, coal and limestone resources, a unique natural trifecta found in few places globally. This led to rapid growth, earning the region its nickname, “The Magic City.”
Today, Birmingham hosts a thriving industrial supply chain landscape with nearly 200 advanced materials and manufacturing firms, encompassing major sectors like metals, chemicals, plastics, composites, aggregates, mining and machinery. Reflecting the region’s strong emphasis on skilled labor, JobsEQ data reveals that over the past five years, more than 650 welding degrees have been awarded. Furthermore, this commitment to industrial excellence is echoed across the state, with Alabama holding the distinction of having the highest concentration of primary metals manufacturing in the Southeast.
The region employs 16,000 advanced materials and manufacturing workers, five times the average number of primary metal jobs in U.S. metropolitan areas.
Advanced Materials & Machinery Employers
Workforce Development
Over the past five years, Alabama has seen a significant uptick in the number of degrees awarded in fields related to advanced materials and machinery, totaling nearly 3,500. In response to this growing trend, Jefferson State Community College has launched a strategic initiative by inaugurating a new 5,000-square-foot welding center. This facility is designed to cater to the increasing demand for skilled welders within the region.
Moreover, the educational landscape in Alabama is further strengthened by both two and four-year programs at institutions like the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and Auburn University. UAB’s Materials Processing and Applications Development (MPAD) Center is a notable example, training over 75 students annually in lightweight materials and manufacturing technologies. In addition, Auburn University’s newly established Advanced Manufacturing Training Center, which opened its doors in 2023, represents a state-of-the-art machining center. This center emphasizes the application of technology in manufacturing environments and focuses on manufacturing and machining workforce training. It also aims at developing a pipeline for training new and existing employees.
Organization Profile
HarbisonWalker International
HarbisonWalker International (HWI), with over 150 years of industry leadership, stands as the largest supplier of refractory products and services in the United States. In a bold move, they’ve launched an innovative refractory manufacturing hub in Birmingham, announcing over $34 million in new capital investment and 50 new jobs in the process.
Organization Profile
U.S. Steel
In 2020, U.S. Steel inaugurated a $300 million advanced electric arc furnace (EAF) facility in Fairfield, marking a significant stride in sustainable steelmaking with an annual capacity of over 1.5 million tons.
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