SWJ Technology Opens Alberta Technology Center on University Boulevard
After months of work, SWJ Technology's new USMCA headquarters in Alberta is finally open. The company is now in the process of moving its North American headquarters, the regional office for Alabama, equipment services, rapid prototyping, and its metrology lab into the Tuscaloosa facility.
SWJ Technology is a subsidiary of SWJ Group, a global engineering and consulting company. It expanded from Europe to the U.S. in 2009, and currently employs more than 120 team members in North America. The company assists in a variety of technology services including assembly planning, logistics planning, quality management, project management and online software solutions.
The groundbreaking in November of 2019 was celebrated as a major collaboration between the city of Tuscaloosa and the company.
"We have built a larger facility than initially planned, spent more money to make this Tech Center exceptional and believe that we will surpass our own expectations for growth and new services," said Dr. Wolfgang Kneer, President and CEO of SWJ. "I am certain, that this will be a milestone for Alberta’s appeal to stimulate more investment, attract more businesses, and provide more jobs for the local community and we feel honored to be part of it.”
The 7,000 square-foot building sits on three acres near the Alberta School of Performing Arts. The new facility aims to foster economic development opportunities for Alberta and greater Tuscaloosa and to create new job opportunities through its expansion.
The facility will boast its own engineering workshop, offering advanced measurement and prototyping services and assembly of innovative specialty tools.
SWJ said in a press release that it plans to expand its internship and apprenticeship programs to better support young professionals and remain relevant for fresh graduates from local colleges and universities.
"Although we had wished to host a grand opening with a big barbecue for the entire community - it will be a much quieter and much smaller ribbon-cutting for now," Kneer said.
Tuscaloosa City Councilman Kip Tyner, who has represented the Alberta area since 1997, said that ribbon-cutting has been scheduled for later this month.
Kneer said that SWJ plans to hold a true grand opening ceremony later this year once more vaccines roll out.