Auto parts factory up and running

MUSCLE SHOALS -- North American Lighting officials said from the start that June 4 would be an important goal.

That's the date they designated for automotive lighting products to begin being produced at the company's newest facility in Muscle Shoals.

And that's precisely what has happened, said General Manager Don Johnson.

"This has come together right on schedule," he said.

The company announced plans to build the plant about 18 months ago at the city's newest industrial park, dubbed the Shoals Research Airpark.

Johnson and others never lost sight of their aggressive schedule to build the plant and get production cranked up by June 2007.

North American Lighting makes taillights, turn signals, license plate lights and other automotive lighting products for several companies, including Toyota, Honda and Nissan.

Johnson said employees are working on a small volume production run. He did not specify the automotive lighting product being manufactured.

"We're building about 200 pieces a day," Johnson said.

By the end of June, Johnson said the company will employ about 70 people.

That number will continue to increase during the next 15 months as more equipment is added to the 200,000-square-foot facility.

Within two years, there should be about 350 people working there.

"Fifteen months from now, we will be at the planned level we have set," Johnson said. "Everything is on schedule."

While the volume of production is low today, by mid-July the facility will begin producing a tail lamp assembly for the Toyota Tundra pickup.

When that happens, Johnson said the facility will be producing 800 to 1,000 units per day.

Johnson again credited local and state economic development officials and Muscle Shoals officials for helping keep the project on schedule.

Work continues inside and outside the plant.

Muscle Shoals Mayor David Bradford said contractors are completing work on a new road leading to the industrial park.

Work is also continuing on the industrial park's new water tank. The city has cleared timber from the property and will begin planting grass in those areas.

A landscape architect will present the city council with the final design for landscaping around the entrance of the park, Bradford said.

In addition, about $35,000-$40,000 worth of lights and poles have been purchased and are waiting to be installed on the industrial park property, Bradford said.

"A lot of work has gone into this project and we're certainly pleased to see North American Lighting producing their products," Bradford said.

Russ Corey can be reached at 740-5738 or russ.corey@timesdaily.com.