Southwire plans $176 million wire factory expansion in rural Alabama

Southwire Co. is expanding in Alabama. The company said it would spend $176 million to expand its Helfin, Alabama factory by 340,000 feet and create 85 new jobs on the site, which makes medium- and high-voltage electrical cables. In a November 12 statement, the Carrollton, Georgia-based company said the expansion would improve and increase medium voltage cable production. Company leadership said the expansion was part of an ongoing push to “modernize” operations, which the company has reportedly already spent $1.8 billion on.

Aside from production increases, the expansion will include some quality-of-life additions, including “comfort cooling,” and sustainability measures like a rainwater collection tank. Construction on the site is expected to begin later this year, and the company says the expansion should be done by late 2027.

Southwire President and CEO Rich Stinton, in a statement, said the new plant would be instrumental for the “re-electrification of America.”

What people are saying

"The re-electrification of America will bring unprecedented opportunity for the electrical industry, and we stand ready to meet the needs that lie ahead for the markets we serve," stated Southwire CEO Rich Stinson. "We continue to purposely invest in modernization - across our facilities, equipment, systems, technologies and more - allowing us to best serve our customers and help power a more sustainable future."

“Southwire’s continued growth in Heflin is proof that great things are happening in rural Alabama,” said Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey. “This expansion represents not only a significant investment in Cleburne County but also in the hardworking men and women who call this community home. With projects like this one, we’re showing that rural Alabama is full of opportunity — and that companies like Southwire can find long-term success right here in our state.”

“Southwire has committed more than $1.8 billion into modernization efforts across our footprint thus far, and we continue to grow, said Southwire COO Norman Adkins. “This expansion in Heflin reaffirms our commitment toward creating an extraordinary place to work – today and for generations to come.” –

“Our team is incredibly excited about the growth that is happening, and we look forward to seeing this project come to life here in Heflin,” said David McLendon, Site Leader for the Southwire Heflin Plant. “We’re already seeing the positive impact these investments are making - through the projects that have already been completed at our site as well as many others around the company’s footprint. This new expansion enables us to create more jobs and opportunity for our community and further strengthens our ability to manufacture and deliver high-quality products that serve critical customers and markets around the world.”

“We are thrilled that Southwire has chosen to expand its operations in Heflin. Southwire’s nearly 30-year presence in Cleburne County has cultivated a strong and meaningful partnership with our community, contributing to economic growth and prosperity for many families who call Heflin home,” said Helfin Mayor Robby Brown. “This expansion brings new jobs and even greater opportunity to Heflin and the broader Cleburne County area. We look forward to further strengthening our relationship with the Southwire team as this exciting project comes to life.”

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Investing in American manufacturing in 2025 

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