BL Harbert International and Gray Construction Awarded Mercedes-Benz Contract

“The impact that Mercedes-Benz has made in the state of Alabama over the past twenty years has been immense,” said Jeremy Pipkin, Vice President, Division Manager of BL Harbert. “BL Harbert International and Gray Construction are honored to be partners with Mercedes for their next chapter of growth.”

The facility will consist of a new 1,300,000-square-foot body shop, an assembly addition, and energy center renovation. Construction has already begun and is slated for completion summer of 2017.

“With this expansion and modernization of our plant, we will create 300 new jobs and continue the success story of Mercedes-Benz in Tuscaloosa,” said Jason Hoff, President and CEO of MBUSI. “Our entire team is proud to reinforce the State of Alabama’s growing reputation as a leader in high-quality automotive manufacturing.”

Mercedes-Benz opened its plant in Vance in 1997 and currently employs more than 3,500 people and more than 8,000 people who come onsite everyday to support operations, including contingent workforce, contractors and suppliers. Last year, Mercedes added the C-Class sedan production to its expanded Vance plant, which also makes the GLE-Class and the GL-Class sports utility vehicles.  Earlier this year, a new SUV coupe — the GLE Coupe was added. The Mercedes-Benz plant Tuscaloosa will also assemble the next SUV generations including the hybrid versions.

BL Harbert International completed the Mercedes-Benz Consolidation Center in 2014. More than 3 million parts are moved throughout the 935,000-square-foot building daily. Gray Construction, currently ranked 5^th in automotive plant construction by ENR, also brings more than 50 years of design-build experience to this project.

“Gray Construction is excited to be part of this significant automotive project for Mercedes,” said Stephen Gray, President and CEO of Gray Construction. “Because the entire team of Gray, BL Harbert and Mercedes is committed to success, we believe our strong partnership will make it possible.”

Together, the joint venture has completed more than 70 years of automotive experience with 375 automotive projects totaling more than $3.75B in volume.

About BL Harbert International

BL Harbert International, LLC is a privately owned construction company with U.S. and International operations providing preconstruction, construction, design-build and construction management services. BL Harbert is currently building across the U.S. and in fifteen countries around the world. The company is nationally ranked 78^th in the United States according to Engineering News-Record, based on 2014 annual revenues of $813.5 million. BL Harbert International, LLC is consistently ranked in the top three green contractors in the state of Alabama.

About Gray Construction

Gray Construction, is a nationally ranked engineering, architecture and construction firm with over 55 years of experience in manufacturing, automotive, food and beverage, distribution, hospitality and retail facility construction. Currently, Gray has several large projects that are underway or recently completed including: a Michelin Earthmover tire manufacturing plant in Anderson, S.C.; an automotive exhaust manufacturing facility for Newman Technology, Inc., in Albertville, Ala.; a manufacturing plant for ZF Transmissions in Gray Court, S.C.; multiple projects for Austal USA in Mobile, Ala.; a ship loading terminal for Drax Biomass in Port Allen, La.; a Keurig manufacturing facility in Douglasville, Ga.; and a manufacturing facility for JX Nippon Oil & Energy USA, Inc. in Childersburg, Ala.