Butting, a German stainless steel pipe manufacturer, announced plans to establish its North American headquarters and first United States production facility in the small Baldwin County community of Loxley as part of a $61 million growth project.
The company's plans will unfold in two strategic phases, triggering the creation of up to 100 high-quality jobs with wages significantly above the county average, according to Made in Alabama, the online news site for the state's Department of Commerce.
Founded in 1777 and headquartered in Knesebeck, Germany, Butting is an internationally recognized leader in stainless steel pipe technology, clad pipes, customized spools and components, as well as cryogenic pipe and valve technology systems.
With operations in its home country, in addition to Finland, Brazil, Canada, China and now the United States, the company continues to expand its global presence.
The new Alabama facility will be constructed on a more than 50-acre site in Loxley's established industrial corridor southwest of Mobile near Alabama's Gulf Coast.
Positioned just south of Interstate 10, Loxley is a growing community of about 4,000 residents.
"Our decision to locate in Baldwin County was driven by the area's overall attractiveness to live and work, a skilled labor force, proximity to key transportation routes and welcoming business environment," Adrian Rochofski, Butting USA's CEO and managing director, said in a statement. "We're excited to grow our footprint in the United States and call Loxley our home in North America."
A formal project announcement event was held July 9, 2025, in Loxley with representatives from Butting, the Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance (BCEDA), the City of Loxley, the Baldwin County Commission and the Alabama Department of Commerce.
"Butting's decision to launch its North American headquarters and manufacturing operation in Baldwin County is a powerful endorsement of Alabama's strengths in workforce readiness, industrial infrastructure and global business relationships," said Ellen McNair, secretary of the state Department of Commerce.
"This investment not only brings high-paying jobs to Loxley but also supports the growth of a German industry cluster that will generate long-term economic benefits across the region," she said. "We're proud to welcome Butting to Alabama, and we look forward to building a lasting partnership."
The initial phase of the project will focus on establishing Butting's North American headquarters, as well as its engineering functions, the fabrication of high-quality stainless-steel spools, components and cryogenic pipe systems, Made in Alabama reported.
Following that, the second phase will see a vertical integration buildout of the U.S. production operations, in addition to integrating a pair of stainless-steel-welded pipe mills, an expansion to further its cryogenic production portfolio and expanded fabrication capabilities — all to serve key industrial sectors across the United States.
The official groundbreaking of Phase 1 is expected in fall 2025, with construction and hiring due to ramp up during July 2025.
Butting's investment project marks a major milestone in Baldwin County's rise as a hub for advanced manufacturing and international business, according to local officials.
"The project is the culmination of the hard work that we as partners have put in to develop our community, product, workforce and infrastructure," said Lee Johnson, BCEDA's executive vice president. "Butting's decision to locate their North American headquarters in Baldwin County is evidence that we are a premier location in the United States for international companies."
The addition of Butting not only enhances South Alabama's industrial portfolio but also reinforces Baldwin County's reputation for attracting world-class companies, high-wage job creation and supporting long-term economic development investments.
‘Not Safe Enough': Birmingham Resumes $28M Repairs to Dam
Work to repair and strengthen a leaking dam that provides drinking water to several Birmingham area suburbs will restart after being halted over cost concerns.
Leaders of the city's regional water board on July 7, 2025, agreed to continue the $28 million first phase to repair Lake Purdy in Shelby County just days after pausing the construction.
"The board recognizes the seriousness of this project," said Phillip Wiedmeyer, a member of the Birmingham Water Works Regional Board (BWWB) and a former engineer of Alabama Power. "We are certainly concerned about the safety of the public and we are not going to take any action that is going to jeopardize that."
Lake Purdy Dam has been classified as a high hazard by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) due to the catastrophic impact that any breach to the structure would have on nearby communities.
Repair work also is intended to protect the drinking water supply source for suburban Birmingham suburbs, including Homewood, Hoover, Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills.
BWWB leaders have long discussed the need for upgrades at Lake Purdy Dam, according to Al.com.
Still, some board members told the statewide online news source that there remain concerns over the overall cost of the project, in addition to previous assessments of the structure, and how the utility would pay for recommended fixes and improvements.
Last year, the former iteration of the current BWWB approved a $78.7 million contract with Thalle Construction Co., based in North Carolina; and $6.8 million in management fees for Arcadis North America, which maintains an office in Birmingham; Virginia-based Schnabel Engineering; and A.G Gaston Construction in Birmingham.
Much of that project was to be financed through bond proceeds along with a $171 million loan program through the federal Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act loan.
However, leaders of the new BWWB have questioned the structure of the federal loan.
Water Works Regional Board Chair Tommy Hudson said on July 7, 2025, that Mac Underwood, the board's general manager, would return with possible options to restructure the loan.
The unanimous vote to resume work came after board members met in a closed-door executive session that lasted about 40 minutes, Al.com noted.
BWWB members agreed that current work at the dam must continue, especially since some site preparation during the construction process has further weakened the century-old structure.
Halting construction and restoring the area to previous conditions would also cost about $10 million, officials have said in the past.
Patrick Flannelly, an engineer with Arcadis North America, the BWWB's independent engineering firm, had urged them to resume work on the dam.
"Failure of this dam results in possible loss of life," he warned board members during a work session July 2. "This dam is not safe enough."
While some work could be delayed, Flannelly urged the board to take immediate action to fortify the dam to prevent an overflow disaster that would impact thousands of homes.
