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Industry Spotlight: Auto Custom Carpets
AUTO CUSTOM CARPETS MOVES OPERATIONS TO OXFORD
By Lorie Denton
Auto Custom Carpets, Inc. is the largest manufacturer of automotive replacement carpet in the world, and they are relocating to Oxford with a $5.13 million capital investment. ACC was landlocked at their current Anniston locations and desperately needed to expand. When they learned that the old Hager Hinge building on Hwy 78 W in Oxford was possibly available, work began between ACC, the Calhoun County Economic Development Council, and the City of Oxford to help keep ACC employees here in Calhoun County. Currently, the company is split into four separate locations across the county, as well as a warehouse located in Georgia. Due to the efforts of all three parties, Calhoun County is now able to keep those jobs, plus some, by consolidating into one large warehouse. According to Don Hopper, Executive Director for the Calhoun County Economic Development Council, the alternative could have been us having to watch them relocate to another county, or even state, to find adequate accommodations. “We are proud that ACC calls Calhoun County home. The EDC discussed the project, and we wanted to do everything we could to keep ACC in our area,” Hopper says. “This is just another example of how working with existing industry can help our area grow. The partnership with the company, the city of Oxford, and the EDC has worked seamlessly.”
On December 17, 2019, ACC and the EDC asked the Oxford City Council to abate the noneducational sales and use taxes, as well as property taxes, for the next ten years. Because of this joint effort, 140 plus jobs are now staying in Calhoun County.
Ken Howell, president and CEO of Auto Custom Carpets and president of the Oxford City Schools Education Foundation, explains that the improvements and updates to the old Hager Hinge building will be extensive. Still, the company hopes to have all operations under one roof shipping out product in less than three years.
Keith Howell, vice-president of Auto Custom Carpets, explains, “Auto Custom Carpets, Inc. is a family and employee-owned company. We have family that are employees and employees that have become our family. We are very excited that the Hager Hinge property will provide the opportunity for all of us to be in one Calhoun County location. ACC is immensely grateful for the help we received from Don Hopper, Lorie Denton, and the Calhoun County Economic Development Council. We also appreciate the Oxford City Council’s assistance and support for our expansion. We look forward to our new Oxford home and the possibilities it will present.”
