Busche Alabama hosted their second innovation Expo at their 263,000 square foot production facility in Hartselle this past weekend.

Busche’s material suppliers, Compass Automotive group, Cadillac Castings, Grede Holdings LLC, Metal Technologies, Waupaca Foundry/ Hitachi Metals, Neenah Enterprises and Chassix Columbus Foundry, along with Okuma, Machine Tool Supplier and MetalX, a scrap recycling supplier, presented their innovative processes and services to an audience of over 100 individuals, including Busche customers, vendors, employees and both local and state dignitaries. One of the event highlights was a tour of the Busche Alabama facility, which has undergone a total revitalization since Busche purchased the site from CR Compressors LLC in October of 2012.

Previously, Emerson Electric’s Climate Technologies was housed in the large complex, but now only a small production line still remains as Busche assumed the responsibility of its final stages. Other than Emerson’s compressor-related business, the rest of the plant is now the host of a growing variety of CNC (computer numerical control) machining cells to support the automotive, industrial, agricultural and heavy truck industries.

At its inception in October 2012, Busche employed only 26 personnel, which has increased to 133. With four new lines contracted for 2015, requiring 21 machining centers, the once nearly empty facility is now humming with activity. This investment of over $9 million in CNC equipment alone has Robert Kelley, general manager, expecting the employment numbers to increase to well over 200 employees with the additional work that has been slated for ramp up near the end of 2015 and into 2016. This work requires an additional $13 million plus investment in 29 CNC machining centers and 77 additional machine operators, along with support team members in the quality, maintenance, shipping and receiving departments.

Nick A. Busche, CEO/President said he always had high hopes for the site.

“When we grafted in the Alabama site, we knew we had a great location to support the growing automotive industry in the southern corridor,” said Busche. “We also found an excellent group in the core management team, which stayed on after Emerson left, and with Kelley taking up the reins in 2013, the plant is on target to meet and exceed our expectations. The acquisition of Busche Alabama and its success has been a paving ground for a personal goal to expand Busche beyond the boundaries of the state of Indiana.”