Birmingham Business Alliance: O’Neal Steel announces expansion in Birmingham
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (August 1, 2022) – O’Neal Steel today announced it will invest $2.6 million in new manufacturing equipment to expand the capabilities of its Birmingham headquarters. The investment includes the addition of a flat laser and press brake for the value-added processing of metal parts and will add six new jobs to the operation.
“This capital investment of $2.6mm allows us to strategically expand our first step processing capabilities, which includes one press brake and one flat laser. These additional machines will further support our growth into new markets through our flagship plant in Birmingham, Alabama,” said Tate Forrester, President and CEO of O’Neal Steel. “We are honored to have the opportunity to continue reinvesting back into the Birmingham community – as we have for the last 101 years.”
Founded in 1921 and headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, O’Neal Steel is an O’Neal Industries affiliate that supplies a wide range of carbon and alloy steel, stainless steel, and aluminum products for companies nationwide. O’Neal Steel has 18 strategically located distribution centers throughout the country that offer inventory and value-added processing capabilities tailored to market needs, all while providing high levels of customer service.
O’Neal Industries (ONI) is a family of closely related companies, all engaged in the metals industry. Providing products and services that range from steel beams and plates to specialty alloys and complex manufactured components, ONI supplies customers across a variety of industries worldwide. Together, their companies – G&L Tube, Leeco Steel, Locate Supplies, O’Neal Manufacturing Services, O’Neal Steel, Slice of Stainless, Stainless Tubular Products, TW Metals, and United Performance Metals – represent the nation’s largest family-owned network of metals service centers and component and tube manufacturing businesses.
“The City of Birmingham is pleased to support O’Neal Steel in this expansion,” said Cornell Wesley, Director of the City’s Department of Innovation and Economic Opportunity. “O’Neal Steel has played a very important role in Birmingham for more than 100 years with major capital investments and in providing jobs for our citizens. We look forward to working with O’Neal Steel for many years to come.”
The company worked closely with the Birmingham Business Alliance and attorneys at Bradley to receive abatements on non-educational sales and property taxes for the manufacturing machinery. The team worked collaboratively to support O’Neal Steel through the project expansion process.
“O’Neal Steel could choose any existing company location, but we are elated that they have chosen to continue investing in Birmingham,” said Emily Jerkins Hall, President and COO of the Birmingham Business Alliance. “This commitment bolsters their long-term retention in our community and further strengthens our region’s capacity in serving original equipment manufacturing customers around the world.”
The Birmingham Business Alliance (BBA) is the first stop destination for businesses currently operating or considering an operation in Birmingham. The BBA is the economic development agency for the Greater Birmingham Region and local chamber of commerce for the city of Birmingham. Our mission is to help businesses start, stay and succeed in Birmingham. To learn more, visit www.birminghambusinessalliance.com
