RWC Expands U.S. Manufacturing Footprint
RWC expands its U.S. manufacturing footprint with new Alabama facility
Exciting growth by way of a large U.S. expansion is the focus this year for Reliance Worldwide Corporation – the parent company of both Cash Acme and SharkBite® Plumbing Solutions. Read more about the growing operation from Wholesaler Magazine’s Editorial Director, Mary Jo Martin:
“With double-digit year-over-year growth since 2002, executives at Reliance Worldwide Corporation (RWC) — the parent company of Cash Acme and SharkBite — knew that to meet increasing demand, they needed to make a significant reinvestment in facilities.
They quickly ruled out expanding in their headquarters of Australia because logistical issues would have increased cost, time, flexibility and the chance of damage in transit. They also considered several options around the U.S., but as CEO Michael Williams candidly shared, “It was a no-brainer to stay in Cullman, Ala., where our existing Cash Acme plant has been located for years. The state and county has been extremely supportive of us, and we have very strong ties to the community and its labor pool.”
The new 100,000-square-foot facility will produce the SharkBite push-to-connect plumbing connection system, and is anticipated to create 130 jobs over the next few years. It is literally next door to the existing plant that produces Cash Acme pressure relief valves, temperature release valves, regulators and PEX pipe.
RWC is investing roughly $50 million in the new facility, which will feature robotic and high-tech plastic and brass manufacturing processes. It will include a research and development center and the SharkTech Training Academy. They are also expanding the nearby 145,000-square-foot distribution center to 235,000 square feet to accommodate the new products for U.S. distribution.”