Sunbelt Solomon Services, one of the world’s largest providers of commercial and industrial electrical distribution equipment, plans to open a facility in Coffee County to repair and recycle electrical transformers, Gov. Kay Ivey said.

Sunbelt Solomon will invest more than $5 million in the facility in Elba and create 50 jobs initially, with more to come as operations grow.

“Sunbelt Solomon is a welcome addition to Alabama’s dynamic business community,” Ivey said. “The company has made a great choice by locating this new operation in Coffee County, and I know the hardworking people of Elba will help make it a long-lasting success.”

As part of the project, Kansas-based Sunbelt Solomon will base its operations in a building at 2450 Industrial Blvd., where it will install manufacturing equipment and outfit the office.

The facility will officially open its doors for business in June.

“Elba is the first greenfield facility we’ve built in several years, reaffirming our strategy of getting closer to our customer base while developing the human capital wherever we operate,” CEO Gus Cedeño said. “Sunbelt Solomon is excited to provide new, well-paying jobs and career paths to the Elba community while continuing the growth and expansion of our business.

“We are committed to an excellent customer experience, and expanding our footprint in Alabama brings us closer to many of our valuable customers, increasing our ability to provide fast and dependable services,” he said.

Sunbelt Solomon Services, one of the world’s largest providers of commercial and industrial electrical distribution equipment, plans to open a facility in Alabama to repair and recycle electrical transformers. The $5 million project will create 50 jobs in Elba. (Sunbelt Solomon)

Economic boost

With opportunities spanning from $18 an hour to $37 an hour, the average salary range for roles offered at Sunbelt Solomon’s new facility will be 45% higher than the average annual salary range for manufacturing roles in Coffee County, as reported by the Alabama Department of Labor.

Sunbelt Solomon offers a competitive suite of benefits to employees, including health care coverage, annual incentive compensation and opportunities for advancement.

The company’s growth projection is expected to provide an economic boost to Elba, a city of about 3,500 residents in southeast Alabama.

“Growing companies like Sunbelt Solomon are discovering that Alabama offers abundant opportunities that will help them expand the scope of their operations,” said Greg Canfield, secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce.

“I look forward to seeing Sunbelt Solomon put down roots in Elba and watching this operation thrive.”

Sunbelt Solomon specializes in providing sustainable power solutions for the utility, data center, renewable energy, oil, gas and mining industries. The company was formed in 2019 after a merger between Solomon Corp. and Sunbelt Transformer.

Local impact

Jesse Quillen, executive director of Wiregrass Economic Development Corp., said Sunbelt Solomon’s investment project will have a major impact on the Coffee County community.

“The new jobs, new capital investment and new energy provided by Sunbelt Solomon are all incredibly important and attractive for Elba citizens. But I believe the most important and welcome attribute that Sunbelt Solomon brings to Elba is its tremendous corporate culture, as exhibited throughout this process,” Quillen said. “Sunbelt Solomon’s corporate culture will be a perfect fit in Elba.”

Elba Mayor Tom Maddox praised the nearby city of Enterprise for its support on the project. Sunbelt Solomon will temporarily locate its new operation in the Enterprise incubator while the Elba facility is being prepared.

“On behalf of the citizens of Elba, we are thrilled to have a new corporate citizen in Sunbelt Solomon,” Maddox said. “The jobs and investment that will be provided bring a great deal of energy and excitement to our community. I also want to thank the Wiregrass Economic Development Corp. for short-term use of the business incubator while the Elba location is renovated.”

In addition to its plans for the Elba facility, Sunbelt Solomon recently acquired Holland Industrial Services in Bay Minette. The company specializes in preventative maintenance, testing, sales and repair of industrial and commercial electrical distribution equipment.

“We’re doubling down in the state of Alabama right now,” Cedeño said. “These two substantial investments in Alabama we trust are clear signs to our customer service commitment in the Southeast for our utility, renewable, oil and gas, commercial and industrial customers.”

This story originally appeared on the Alabama Department of Commerce’s Made in Alabama website.