A Canadian manufacturing company is bringing dozens of new jobs to Baldwin County, with plans to open a plant in Robertsdale’s industrial park next month.
AdvanTec, a manufacturer based in Vancouver, British Columbia, announced it will open a 40,000-square-foot facility in Robertsdale in April. Company officials say the new plant is expected to create 46 local jobs and generate more than $2.4 million in annual payroll for Baldwin County workers over its first three years of operation.
The company specializes in marine closure manufacturing and industrial pipe bending for the oil and gas sector, producing components used by businesses in marine and industrial applications around the world. AdvanTec already operates manufacturing facilities in Langley, British Columbia; Gold Beach, Oregon; Chilliwack, British Columbia; Maple Ridge, British Columbia; and Calgary, Alberta, along with sales offices in Langley and Lynnwood, Washington. The Robertsdale location will be the company’s first plant in the Gulf Coast region.
“As the first of our plants in this region, this location will allow us to better serve our clients in the greater Gulf of Mexico and southeastern United States, as well as access a skilled labor market with deep experience in marine metal manufacturing,” said Andrew Mund, operations director for AdvanTec’s Robertsdale facility.
AdvanTec serves as the parent brand for two divisions, AdvanTec Marine and AdvanTec Industrial. AdvanTec Marine focuses on the design, engineering and manufacturing of specialty marine closures and cranes, while AdvanTec Industrial produces components for commercial and industrial customers. Together, the brands serve clients across a range of industries, including clean tech, mining, construction, oil and gas, petrochemical processing and power utilities.
Robertsdale Mayor Charles Murphy welcomed the announcement, saying the addition strengthens the city’s growing industrial base. “The City of Robertsdale welcomes the arrival of AdvanTec to our Industrial Park, this is a great opportunity for all,” Murphy said. “We want to convey our appreciation to AdvanTec for their investment in our city, along with the Robertsdale Industrial Board and the Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance for making this opportunity possible.”
Lee Lawson, president and CEO of the Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance, said the AdvanTec announcement reflects a broader trend of investment flowing into the county. Baldwin County has been ranked first in Alabama for incoming business investment by SmartAsset for two consecutive years, and labor market analytics firm Emsi recently ranked the county first in the state for its ability to attract workforce talent.
Local officials have pointed to the region’s proximity to Gulf Coast shipping and industrial corridors, along with its available industrial park space, as key draws for manufacturers looking to expand their footprint in the southeastern United States. AdvanTec’s arrival adds to a growing list of manufacturers that have set up operations in Baldwin County’s industrial parks in recent years, as local economic development leaders continue to court out-of-state and international companies.
AdvanTec has begun accepting applications for positions at the new facility. Those interested in applying can visit the company’s careers page at advantecglobal.com/careers for more information on available openings and hiring timelines as the plant prepares to begin operations.