2a S.p.A, an Italian casting company, celebrated the grand opening for their facility located in Auburn.
Members of the Ilotte family traveled to Alabama from Italy to partake in the celebration, joining both employees and members of the Auburn community. 2a S.p.A. came to Auburn as a result of purchasing Aluminum Technology Schmid North America.
“Our company has received excellent support from the City of Auburn and the State of Alabama making this investment possible,” said Carlo Ilotte, president of 2a S.p.A.
2a S.p.A. started in the 1960s creating zippers and zipper machinery for the apparel industry. They have since moved that side of the business to China. The company began making large engine and transmission housing castings for the automotive and trucking industries, starting in the 1980s.
Auburn Mayor Bill Ham, Jr. was present at the ceremony and spoke about the company’s arrival to Alabama.
“Today we celebrate the beginning of a new partnership between Auburn and the 2a company, which will retain 95 jobs in Auburn,” Ham said. “Not losing 95 jobs is like creating 95 jobs.”
During the ceremony the Italian flag was raised alongside the new 2a USA corporate flag.
“Italy and the United States are connected by a long history, and Alabama hosts several operations from Italian based companies," said Cav. David M. Gratta, honorary consul of Italy for the state of Alabama. "I congratulate the fine city of Auburn for the partnership with the well-recognized 2a Company from Turin.”
Gratta lives in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and was born in Mobile as an Italian citizen. He represents Italy and holds the title of cavaliere, an Italian form of knighthood.
“With the strength of the automotive sector in Alabama, a connection to Northern Italy is an obvious match,” said Robert Smith of the Alabama Department of Commerce, in reference to Torino, Italy, as the birthplace of the Italian automotive industry.
Phillip Dunlap, Economic Development Director for the City of Auburn, was also at the event.
Dunlap praised the decision of 2a S.p.A. coming to Auburn.
“I think it’s a good opportunity,” Dunlap said.
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