Anvil Industrial Group Purchases Nine Acres to Expand Operations

Anvil Industrial Group, headquartered in Ozark, Alabama, recently purchased nine acres of land to build a structural steel fabrication facility. Construction is expected to wrap up by early 2027, and the move will allow Anvil to expand its workforce by 15 jobs.

“We’ve worked with Ozark-Dale EDC over the past few years to look at different land parcels and properties,” says Kevin Harden, president of Anvil. “When the nine acres next to our current facility became available, it was the obvious choice.”

The expansion will allow Anvil to grow its structural steel and custom fabrication operations to take on larger projects. The expansion also keeps the company and its jobs in Dale County.  

Anvil Was Looking at Properties Across Southeast Alabama

Anvil considered various options in the area as it looked to expand. The nearby city of Dothan had land available, but Harden wanted to stay in Dale County. He had developed a strong professional relationship with Holle Smith, Executive Director of the Ozark Dale Economic Development Corporation (EDC), and already had roots in Ozark.

“Our decision really came down to the price of building the new facility because materials have become extremely hard to come by,” says Harden. “Cost held us back from moving anywhere. Plus, Ozark has been good to us over the years, and ODEDC fights for us.”

Anvil also does a lot of work in the cities of Troy and Montgomery to the north, so moving further south didn’t make as much sense. 

The Expansion Aligns With Anvil’s 10-Year Anniversary

Anvil was founded in 2017 by Dan and Hunter DuBose, and Harden took over daily operations in 2020. Since Harden stepped in as president, he has expanded the organization and now manages a team of 45 people. Of his staff, there are about 10 administration professionals, 14 in-house fabricators, and 16 field crew members.

Anvil has five different industrial fabrication crews that work on projects across the country. The firm has taken on projects in all lower 48 states, with contracts reaching as far as Maine and Miami. The firm assists with fabrication projects across various industries, ranging from agricultural processing to data center infrastructure.

“We’re a broad company,” says Harden. “It doesn’t matter what industry you’re in, you need to move products from point A to point B. Everything else you do in between is just the machinery.”

Anvil Plans to Hire More Welders During the Expansion

When the new facility opens in 2027, Anvil will be hiring to grow its fabrication team. Harden says he looks for people with welding experience, but is also willing to train the right person in the Anvil way of doing things. In addition to relevant experience, he also weighs the character and work ethic of all applicants.

“If an applicant wasn’t a welder or fabricator in the past, they might have past positions that show where their mindset is and what their skills might be,” he says.

This big-picture approach helps Anvil find people who have a strong mindset for fabrication, with traits such as attention to detail, problem-solving, and technical thinking.

“The number one struggle of starting a business is building a team of hard-working and trustworthy people,” adds Harden. “The work itself is pretty straightforward.” 

Learn More About Manufacturing in Dale County

Manufacturing is an important industry in Dale County, Alabama. It is a leader in employment and supports the career growth of several residents. Read about other companies in the area, like Brown Manufacturing and Ozark Striping, to get a feel for the types of businesses here. You can also learn about the new mobile welding lab at Ozark City Schools, which will prepare students to step into roles like the ones Anvil needs to fill.

There’s room for more manufacturing growth in Dale County, as Anvil is proving. Contact the EDC today to discuss your future here.