Posted on Aug 25, 2003

VENTURE ALABAMA Headquarters: Fraser, Mich. Size: 60 plant locations in 13 countries Annual sales: $2.5 billion Employees: 13,000 worldwide Prattville details: 670,000-square-foot plant will employ about 600 people. Expected to begin operations in September 2004 PRATTVILLE -- Venture Alabama held its groundbreaking ceremony in Prattville Tuesday afternoon, the first step in construction of a 670,000-square-foot, $100 million automotive parts plant. The project is set to begin in July. The plant, which will create 600 jobs, is scheduled to open in September 2004. Venture makes plastics that are used in instrument panel clusters, bumper assemblies, interior and exterior trim and body panels. The plant is the largest tier-one supplier to Hyundai Motors Inc. to land in the state. Hyundai is building a $1 billion manufacturing plant in Montgomery. "It only seems like it was a few months ago since we were down in Montgomery making the announcement Venture had picked Prattville," Gov. Bob Riley said. "Venture means so much, 600 jobs, 600 people earning good wages. This is a classic example of what happens when local and state government work together to create one vision to move the state and its communities forward." The average salary at Venture will be $14.52 an hour, which translates into an annual payroll of more than $18 million. "I can remember Prattville in the 1950s," said Rep. Mac Gipson, R-Prattville. "You had three choices; you worked at the gin shop, you worked at the cotton mill or you left. Now my grandchildren have a much brighter future ahead of them. Our industrial base has expanded so much, we have a brighter future now." Prattville's newest industry will benefit the entire region, said Mayor Jim Byard. "We have several of our friends from Elmore County at this celebration," Byard told the crowd of about 300, just before the obligatory shovels of dirt were turned over. "Venture is going to change Prattville, of course. But a company of Venture's standards and reputation is going to change the entire region. When we were recruiting them, they told us they wanted to pick a community where they could make an impact right away. They wanted to become a member of the community quickly. It's rare to find that attitude in business." Venture, based in Fraser, Mich., employs about 13,000 worldwide and has manufacturing plants on seven continents. It is solely owned by Larry Winget, who began the company out of his garage in 1974. It has grown to a company with annual sales of about $2.5 billion. Winget says he knows he made the right choice by settling in Prattville. "The media has asked me several times why we picked Prattville. I tell them it's the level of cooperation we found here, and the fact we were welcomed with open arms," he said. "It feels good, and I feel blessed to establish a new company in this community. It surprises me how you blend God, the community and business together. It's really very refreshing, and quite different than in Michigan." Marty Roney can be reached at (334) 365-6739 or by fax at (334) 365-1400.