BHM’s Target Industries
Strategically located in the heart of the Southeast, the Greater Birmingham Region is home to a diverse and dynamic range of companies and communities. The Birmingham metro area is comprised of seven counties and a population of more than 1.1 million, making it the largest region in the state of Alabama.
Food & Beverage
Birmingham has a rich culinary tradition embedded in its DNA. The region boasts innovative, award-winning restaurants and chefs, as well as rapidly expanding food and beverage manufacturers and distributors. This dynamic landscape has attracted new players like Smucker's, investing over $1 billion in a manufacturing facility, and nurtured local success stories such as Milo's Tea, Red Diamond, and Royal Cup. Home to seven James Beard Award winners and the prestigious base for Southern Living and Food and Wine publications, Birmingham's culinary scene serves as a hub of chef excellence in the South.
Things to Know:
- Over the past five years, 20 food & beverage companies have announced 1,300+ jobs and over $1 billion in capital investment.
- Birmingham ranks among the top in the nation for soft drink manufacturing jobs, boasting over five times the national average.
- There are more than 12,000 food and beverage employees in the Greater Birmingham Region.
- In a three-year period, there has been 12,000+ graduates from 2- and 4-year programs with a degree related to food and beverage manufacturing in the state of Alabama.
Notable Employers
Talent Pipeline
Birmingham's strong culture of public-private partnerships is exemplified by a recent collaboration involving Buffalo Rock, a local Pepsi bottling company and Lawson State Community College, a local HBCU looking to establish a workforce development pipeline for its students. This partnership led to the creation of a company-specific training program funded by a $75,000 grant from the E Pluribus Unum Fund, a national organization focused on promoting racial equity. Remarkably, within a year of the program's announcement, the first class successfully graduated, with all students securing job offers from Buffalo Rock.
Birmingham's food and beverage industry thrives, thanks in part to the contributions of graduates from Alabama's top universities: the University of Alabama, Auburn University and the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). These institutions collectively produce nearly 700 students each year, specializing in food, nutrition and agriculture programs. This year, the Academy of Horticulture at Jackson-Olin High School in the City of Birmingham is now offering high school students comprehensive programs in agricultural science.Company Spotlights
The J.M Smucker Co. announced a $1.1 billion project in 2021 employing over 700 workers to produce Uncrustables in Birmingham.
Milo's Tea Company is headquartered and founded in Birmingham but has a global reach beyond its roots. Milos Tea has grown over 20% a year for more than a decade and, in 2021, realized nearly 50% growth with $400 million in revenue annually. Milos Tea has expanded production into two other markets and is available in 41,800 stores across the U.S.
Advanced Materials & Machinery
The Greater Birmingham Region was built on steel because of the area's abundant iron ore, coal and limestone resources, a unique natural trifecta found in few places globally. This led to rapid growth, earning the region its nickname, "The Magic City." Today, Birmingham hosts a thriving industrial supply chain landscape with nearly 200 advanced materials and manufacturing firms, encompassing major sectors like metals, chemicals, plastics, composites, aggregates, mining and machinery.
Things to Know:
- Over the past five years, over 650+ welding degrees were awarded in the field of welding, according to JobsEQ data.
- The region employs 16,000 advanced materials and manufacturing workers, five times the average number of primary metal jobs in U.S. metropolitan areas.
- The state of Alabama has the highest concentration of primary metals manufacturing in the Southeast.
Notable Employers
Talent Pipeline
In the past five years, there has been nearly 3,500 degrees related to advanced materials and machinery awarded in the state of Alabama, a trend that Jefferson State Community College has strategically addressed by opening a brand-new, 5,000 square foot welding center to meet the surging demand for skilled welders in the region.
Company Spotlights
In 2020, U.S. Steel inaugurated a $300 million+ advanced electric arc furnace (EAF) facility in Fairfield, marking a significant stride in sustainable steelmaking with an annual capacity of over 1.5 million tons.
HarbisonWalker International (HWI), with over 150 years of industry leadership, stands as the largest supplier of refractory products and services in the United States. In a bold move, they've launched an innovative refractory manufacturing hub in Birmingham, announcing over $34 million in new capital investment and 50 new jobs in the process.
Automotive
In 1993, Mercedes-Benz chose Alabama as the home for its exclusive U.S. assembly plant, launching the mobility industry. Since then, automotive giants such as Honda, Hyundai, Toyota and Mazda, alongside a growing network of mobility suppliers, have joined Alabama’s vehicle manufacturing industry. Most recently, Autocar, a maker of heavy-duty work trucks, also began production in Birmingham. Today, Alabama's automotive industry stands as a powerhouse with an annual production capacity exceeding 1 million cars and light trucks statewide. This growth has strengthened Alabama's position and established it as an attractive hub for innovation and advancement in the automotive manufacturing sector. The Greater Birmingham Region has attracted over $725 million in capital investment from mobility companies since 2018, resulting in the creation of 2,200+ jobs.
Things to Know:
- There are currently 5,200 people employed in automotive manufacturing jobs in the region.
- Alabama's annual production of over 1 million traditional and electric vehicles places the state as the third-largest auto exporter in the nation.
The state manufactures a total of 16 different models of passenger vehicles, including electric vehicles (EVs). - There are 160+ suppliers located in the Greater Birmingham Region.
- You can access 14 OEMs across 250-miles in the Greater Birmingham Region
Talent Pipeline & Ecosystem
This program offers a mechatronics program that includes classroom instruction, hands-on learning in the plant, and a job offer for graduates. The program, which combines mechanical engineering, computer science and electronics, has been praised as a model industry-education partnership.
Company Spotlights
Alabama is the sole producer of electric vehicles for Mercedes across the world. The batteries are created in the Greater Birmingham Region. Since the early 1990s, Mercedes has invested $7 billion in the state of Alabama with multiple expansions, new model launches and innovation upgrades and more than 4 million vehicles shipped from the plant around the world. The company recently announced a $1 billion investment in electric vehicle production, adding a state-of-the-art battery factory in the Greater Birmingham Region. Alabama is proud to work with Mercedes to help accomplish the strategic vision and goals that will carry the company far into the future.
Autocar, a maker of specialized trucks, invested $120 million in a new heavy truck assembly facility in Jefferson County with more than 700 new jobs. This addition adds a new layer to the state’s robust automotive sector, which is anchored by the presence of Mercedes-Benz, Honda, Hyundai, and Toyota, along with a vast supply chain. Autocar recently delivered its first EV, a battery-electric terminal tractor built in Alabama.
Distribution & Logistics
The Greater Birmingham Region, strategically poised in the Southeast, serves as a vital distribution and logistics hub. With the advantage of five major Interstates, a cargo-ready airport and three Class 1 railroads, including Norfolk Southern, CSX, and BNSF, it offers an unmatched infrastructure for efficient operations. The region's skilled workforce ensures rapid customer service fulfillment. Since 2018, Birmingham has witnessed a surge in distribution centers, with major players like Amazon, Carvana, Lowe's and FedEx Ground leading the way. This influx has generated over 2,800+ jobs and injected more than $670 million into the region's thriving economy.
Things to Know:
- Within a one-day truck trip, 38% of the U.S. population can be reached, and a two-day truck trip gives access to 78% of the population.
- There are more than 100 flights daily to and from the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport.
- The Port of Birmingham has a yearly economic impact of nearly $130 million.
- Over the past five years, 20+ distribution and logistics companies have announced 2,800+ jobs and over $670 million in capital investment.
Notable Employers
5,000 distribution & logistics employees hired over the past 5 years
Ranked 13th in the nation for its high concentration of distribution and logistic employees
32,000 Regional Distribution Workers
Company Spotlights
This $97.5 million facility stands as a vital component of Norfolk Southern's expansive Crescent Corridor initiative, which aims to create an efficient, high-capacity intermodal freight rail route connecting the Gulf Coast and the Northeast.
Birmingham Airport has established itself as a vital hub in air cargo shipping, collaborating with top industry giants like FedEx, UPS and Amazon. The addition of a $27 million cargo facility has enhanced its operational capabilities. In April 2023 the facility boasted a successful first charter cargo flight from Stuttgart, Germany.
Headquartered in Birmingham, McLeod Software boasts a team of over 500 regional employees. The privately held company, known for its transportation management and trucking software solutions, recently underwent a significant expansion, resulting in the creation of 150 jobs and $14 million of announced capital investment.“There is no other intermodal rail public-private project today that compares with the magnitude of the Crescent Corridor in terms of job creation or environmental benefits.”
- Norfolk Southern CEO Wick Moorman
Technology
Technology has played a pivotal role in the enduring transformation of the Greater Birmingham Region. Rooted in its historical connection to the steel industry, our region has seen a continual embrace of cutting-edge technology by visionary entrepreneurs. This enduring legacy is visible today as Birmingham takes the lead in optimizing grocery shopping, streamlining trucking operations and fortifying the security of financial institutions' data. Birmingham stands as a trailblazer in technology and innovation, driving the region's growth.
Things to Know:
- The tech industry cluster has grown 3.5% over the last five years, with the software publisher industry growing 26.6%.
- Over the past five years, 16 technology companies have announced nearly 2,600 jobs and nearly $430 million in capital investment.
- The current average salary for tech workers in the region is $97,000, and with our friendly cost of living in the region, their dollar stretch is almost $10,000 more than the national average.
- In the last five years, 2,500 tech-related degrees were awarded in the state; in 2022, over 450 MIS Degrees were awarded in Alabama. >
Notable Employers
Technology Ecosystem
From large technology corporations to a growing startup, it’s easy for organizations and talent to make Birmingham their home through our vibrant tech ecosystem. With organizations like Birmingham Bound and TechBirmingham, community is not hard to find. Birmingham Bound supports by quickly plugging in tech founders into our vibrant community of innovators, while TechBirmingham assists in making valuable introductions and provides learning opportunities through curated programming and conferences to develop talent from entry-level to top executive. Innovation Depot is central to Birmingham’s tech community by serving as a physical hub to over 100 businesses in various sectors while providing a massive 140,000 square feet of office space as well as offering strategic assistance and support. Through collaboration with each other, these organizations work in partnership to meet the needs of the region.
Company Spotlights
Target recently announced its $550 million acquisition of Shipt, Inc., a Birmingham-founded and headquartered company. This acquisition marks a turning point in Target's digital fulfillment initiatives and highlights Birmingham's importance as a key player in the retail giant's nationwide expansion plans.
TheraNest, founded by Shegun Otulana, quickly emerged as the premier software solution for behavioral health providers. This success led to the formation of its parent company, Therapy Brands. Therapy Brands achieved over a $1 billion exit, marking one of the most substantial exits in recent history. Otulana now dedicates himself to nurturing startups through Harmony Venture Labs with the goal of fostering billion-dollar valuations.
Tquila Automation, a leading global automation software company, recently expanded to Birmingham, announcing 200 high-quality jobs to the city's growing high-tech sector, with over 100 employees across European and Austin, Texas offices. The company's executives accredited their choice of Birmingham above several other major markets to the city's thriving tech ecosystem, world-class universities, and a large and diverse workforce in the metro area.
HQ & Business Services
The Greater Birmingham Region is witnessing a notable uptick in the success of corporate headquarters, owing to its outstanding quality of life, abundant amenities and ranking as one of the premier return-to-office metros. Businesses here can conveniently access a diverse range of location choices and office setups within a 20-minute drive. Whether it's a downtown skyscraper in the city center, a suburban midrise close to residential and retail centers or a campus surrounded by nature, there's a setting to suit every preference. We have a diverse offering of industries headquartered in the region, including all of Alabama’s Fortune 500 companies.
Things to Know:
- The region boasts over 200 thriving headquarters.
- Over the past five years, 35+ headquarters and business services companies have announced 3,000 jobs and $240 million in capital investment.
- Business services employment has seen nearly a 4% increase over a five-year period (2018-2022).
- Over the past 10 years, Alabama has awarded an average of 75,000 business degrees.
Notable Employers
Office Space Square Foot Rent Price Comparison
Since April 2020, employee visits to downtown Birmingham have quickly increased, making Birmingham one of the top “back to office” cities in the nation. Our central business district has seen nearly an 80% recovery in employee visits, while the medical and university district has surpassed pre-pandemic levels by 2%.
Employer Spotlight
Founded locally in 1964, Brasfield & Gorrie has grown into one of the Southeast's largest construction firms, with over 3,700 employees and annual revenues exceeding $5 billion. Despite expanding to 13 offices across eight states, they proudly call the Greater Birmingham Region their headquarters, recently announcing an expansion to create 70 new jobs with a capital investment of nearly $20 million. This Birmingham-founded company has completed over 2,000 construction projects in the state valued at over $13 billion.
Talent Pipeline
- Alabama produces over 10,000 business school graduates annually in fields such as MIS, Supply Chain, Marketing, Finance, Business Management, Accounting and Economics.
- In 2023, UAB's Collat School of Business ranked fourth in the nation for its MIS program.
- The University of Alabama's Culverhouse College of Business ranked 29th among public business schools, and Auburn University's Harbert College of Business secured the 32nd position. Samford also earned the 26th spot in Fortune's 2022 Online MBA ranking.
Advanced Manufacturing
With a rich history rooted in iron and steel, the Greater Birmingham Region has seamlessly transitioned into a thriving hub for over 1,300 companies in manufacturing, spanning diverse sectors like metals, food, chemicals, mobility, composites and machinery.
Birmingham's strength as a manufacturing stronghold is rooted in its adaptability, commitment to innovation and investment in workforce development, creating an ideal environment for companies seeking success in advanced manufacturing. The region's appeal is not only tied to its industrial heritage but also to its ability to diversify its economy while preserving its manufacturing roots.
Things to Know:
- Over the past five years, 100+ advanced manufacturing companies have announced 3,000+ jobs and over $1 billion in capital investment.
- In 2023, the State of Alabama recorded nearly $2.5 billion in manufacturing exports.
- In the past three years, there has been nearly 10,000 graduates from 2- and 4-year programs with a degree related to manufacturing in the state of Alabama.
Company Spotlights
The J.M Smucker Co. announced an over $1 billion project in 2021, employing over 700 workers to produce Uncrustables in Birmingham.
Autocar, a maker of specialized trucks and headquartered in Birmingham, invested $120 million in a new heavy truck assembly facility in Jefferson County with more than 700 jobs. This addition adds a new layer to the state’s robust automotive sector, which is anchored by the presence of Mercedes-Benz, Honda, Hyundai and Toyota, along with a vast supply chain. Autocar recently delivered its first EV, a battery-electric terminal tractor built in Alabama.
In 2020, U.S. Steel inaugurated a $300 million advanced electric arc furnace (EAF) facility in Fairfield, marking a significant stride in sustainable steelmaking with an annual capacity of over 1.5 million tons.
Notable Employers
Talent Pipeline
Central Six Alabama Works has partnered with Lawson State and Jefferson State Community college to offer apprenticeships programs focused on careers in the manufacturing industry: welding, machinery, and industrial maintenance.
Find out more about the Alabama Office of Apprenticeship – Linking Talent to Opportunity
Bioscience
With over 82,000 people directly employed in science, health care and pharmaceutical development, the Greater Birmingham Region is the largest bioscience cluster in Alabama. It is a center of world-class research with a highly productive and skilled workforce specializing in drug delivery, formulation science and controlled-release technology.
Currently, more than 150 companies are engaged in different aspects of life science, including representation by the world’s top pharmaceutical companies. The Greater Birmingham Region has recently been designated as a federally recognized TechHub due to our work in biotech.
Things to Know:
- Over the past five years, 14 life sciences companies have announced nearly 700 jobs and over $80 million in capital investment.
- The Greater Birmingham region is home to eight cancer centers.
- Over the past five years there has been a 10% increase in bioscience degrees awarded
- There are 150+ companies, ranging from medical device manufacturers to top pharmaceutical firms in the region.
Notable Employers
Company Spotlights
A center of medical and scientific excellence, the University of Alabama at Birmingham continues to see record-breaking levels of extramural research funding, reaching $715 million in FY2022 – a 50% increase over the past five years.
- Secured nearly $390 million in NIH funding in FY 2022 and $715 million in total research funding
- 8th largest public hospital in the nation
- Serves over 1.5 million patients annually
- Currently conducts 770 active clinical trials and studies
Talent Pipeline
The Bioscience Technician Program aims to equip aspiring individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge to pursue fulfilling careers in the biotech industry. Candidates with a high school diploma, proficiency in Microsoft Office and basic math skills are encouraged to apply for this transformative opportunity. The access to top technical talent and industry experts continues to make it a desirable location for companies interested in tapping into premier assets.
