International Beams Comes to Dothan

Matt Boster

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Posted by: Matt Boster
Date: Jun 28 2017 5:29 PM

Dothan, Al – Alabama Governor Kay Ivey and a diverse group of business and civic leaders gathered at an event on Wednesday to welcome International Beams (IB), a leading North American producer of engineered wood products to Dothan. IB announced the construction of a state-of-the-art facility to manufacture cross laminated timber panels (CLT) and glue laminated beams (GLU-LAM) using southern pine lumber. The facility will be home to the company’s IB X-LAM USA label and the first site for CLT manufacturing in the Eastern U.S.

Slated to begin production next spring, the facility will be constructed in an existing building south of Dothan in Houston County. The anticipated capital investment for the project will be $19.6 million and would create an estimated 60 full-time jobs on a two-shift operation. Eventually, the company expects to expand to three shifts within a five-year period, potentially creating another 25 full-time positions.

“IB’s decision to locate this innovative, technology advanced manufacturing facility in Dothan send a clear message to the world that Alabama is an ideal destination for investment and job creation,” Governor Kay Ivey said. “This project will create good jobs and new opportunities for are residents, and we look forward to helping IB find a sweet home in Alabama.”

“Our community is thrilled to welcome the IB team to Dothan, Alabama,” Dothan Mayor Mike Schmitz said. “This project adds strength and diversity to a strong existing manufacturing base, promotes regional growth and opportunity, and allows individuals to secure good-paying and stable jobs. Our city, and the entire Wiregrass region, is made economically stronger with the addition of International Beams.”

“Dothan and Houston County take an important and positive economic step forward with the addition of IB XLAM USA to our community,” Houston County Commission Chairman Mark Culver said. “A strong company with a new technology, combined with the strategic partnership of Auburn University, is a Win-win for our region and citizens. We look forward to helping IB grow and prosper, and we stand ready to be partners with them every day.”

“Dothan, a city known for its manufacturing and agribusiness industries, is the perfect place to build the expert staff that will grow the engineered wood products market,” IB CEO Bruno Label said. “We’re excited about this new venture and look forward to being a driving force for Dothan’s economy.”

While Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) is typically used in commercial construction, it’s quickly gaining popularity among residential builders. Widely used in multi-level structures across Europe, CLT has proven to outperform conventional materials like concrete and steel, and through its Dothan partnership, IB is primed to bring this frontier product into the American mainstream.

CLT’s unique layered engineering gives it steel-like strength. It’s also lighter, easier to assemble, sustainable, cost-effective and fire resistant. The product consists of large engineered panels, comprised of multiple layers of residential applications. There are currently only two CLT manufactures in the U.S., both on the west coast (Oregon and Montana). The operation would be the first of its kind in the Eastern U.S. and the first to utilize Southern pine lumber as its primary raw material. The company will also manufacture glulam on the same site, providing a complementary product line to CLT. The new CLT product, branded as IB X-LAM, is expected to be available next year.  Other Parties recognized for their assistance on the project include, Office of Governor Kay Ivey, Alabama Department of Commerce, Federal Legislati9ve Delegation, Wiregrass Legislative Delegation, City of Dothan, Houston County Commission, Houston County Road and Bridge, Dothan Planning Department, Dothan Fire Department, Dothan Public Works, Dothan Traffic Engineering, Alabama Industrial Development Training, Dothan Utilities, Alabama Municipal Electric Authority, Industrial Development Board of the City of Dothan, Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce- Grow Dothan, Auburn University, Genessee and Wyoming Railroad, southeast Gas, Metcalf and  Company, and The Paletta Group.

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