Austrian-based automotive supplier voestalpine Automotive Body Parts will open a $11.1 million manufacturing plant in Birmingham, Alabama. The company is expected to create 42 jobs.

“This investment is an important step in the growth strategy of our company in the U.S.,” said Philipp Schulz, Local Managing Director of voestalpine Automotive Body Parts. “We are very excited about starting operations in Birmingham and being part of the automotive supplier network in Alabama.

“We especially would like to thank the state and local officials along with the Birmingham Industrial Development Board for their assistance in this project,” Schulz added.

Local officials said voestalpine worked closely with the Alabama Department of Commerce, City of Birmingham, Alabama Power Co. and Birmingham Business Alliance (BBA) on the expansion. Also as part of what was called “Project Alpine,” the City of Birmingham agreed to abate the non-educational allocated portion of sales and property taxes related to the project, an incentive valued at an estimated $960,237 over 10 years.

The Birmingham location will give voestalpine ready access to existing and potential new customers in automotive, while providing overall efficiencies, said Jeff Traywick, a BBA Senior Project Manager.

“Having one of the leading partners in the automotive and consumer goods industry will be a valuable asset to Birmingham,” Traywick said. “We are excited to welcome voestalpine to the area and look forward to what they will accomplish in the future.”

“Automotive manufacturing is a significant industry in Alabama, and these new jobs are a welcome opportunity for the citizens of Birmingham and Jefferson County,” Governor Robert Bentley said. “The Alabama workforce is strong, and it will be a great partner for voestalpine to make its project successful.”

“Voestalpine is a leading partner to the auto industry in Europe and represents another strong addition to Alabama’s ever-expanding automotive supply chain,” said Greg Canfield, Secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce. “Our economic development team will continue to work hard to build out that supply chain with new jobs and new investment.”