HDT: A Military Shelter Manufacturer Consolidates Into 206,500 SF at SouthPoint Huntsville
HDT Expeditionary Systems, a manufacturer of military shelters, relocated its shelter manufacturing from Virginia to a 206,500 square foot Hollingsworth building at SouthPoint Business Park near Huntsville, Alabama. The move consolidated production into one location, brought more than 120 jobs, and was backed by a documented state incentive package.
At a glance
| Client | HDT Expeditionary Systems |
|---|---|
| Industry | Military shelter manufacturing |
| Location | 5951 Endeavor Way, SouthPoint Business Park, Huntsville-annexed Limestone County, AL |
| Building | 206,500 SF |
| Jobs | More than 120 positions relocated from Buena Vista, Virginia |
| State support | $1,042,350 in Alabama recruitment and training support, a 3 percent Jobs Credit valued at $1,557,130 over 10 years, and property and sales tax abatements |
| Purpose | Consolidate shelter production into one location to increase capacity, reduce overhead, and streamline operations |
| Outcome | HDT's shelter manufacturing consolidated into a single Hollingsworth building in the North Alabama defense corridor |
Who is HDT Expeditionary Systems?
HDT Expeditionary Systems manufactures military shelters and expeditionary equipment for the armed forces.
HDT's products deploy where infrastructure does not exist, which makes manufacturing reliability a matter of readiness, not just commerce. When the company decided to consolidate its shelter manufacturing, the destination had to serve the mission: capacity, efficiency, and proximity to the defense ecosystem.
What did HDT need?
HDT needed to consolidate shelter production from Buena Vista, Virginia into one building large enough to increase capacity while cutting overhead.
Consolidation moves are unforgiving. The new building has to be ready when the old operations wind down, and a defense manufacturer cannot leave delivery commitments exposed during a transition. HDT chose the Huntsville area, one of the country's densest defense markets, and a standing Hollingsworth building at SouthPoint Business Park that could take the operation without a ground-up construction timeline.
How did The Hollingsworth Companies help?
Hollingsworth provided the 206,500 square foot building at 5951 Endeavor Way, ready for HDT's consolidated operation on the company's schedule.
This is the case for building manufacturing grade buildings ahead of demand. Because the building was standing, HDT's decision translated to occupancy in months rather than years, and the State of Alabama backed the move with a documented package: $1,042,350 in recruitment and training support, a Jobs Credit valued at more than $1.5 million over ten years, and tax abatements. HDT's CEO Sean Bond said the decision was thoughtfully made and ultimately best for the benefit of the warfighter and the organization.
What were the results?
HDT consolidated its shelter manufacturing into SouthPoint Business Park with more than 120 jobs, positioning the operation in the North Alabama defense corridor.
HDT set out to run the premier military production operation in Northern Alabama from the building. For Hollingsworth, the project added a defense manufacturer to a park already serving automotive and distribution users, and demonstrated that the same speculative building program that serves commercial tenants also meets the standards of a military supplier.
The decision to move our shelter manufacturing facility was thoughtfully made. Ultimately, this transition is best for the benefit of the warfighter and our organization.
Frequently asked questions
What building did HDT take at SouthPoint Business Park?
A 206,500 square foot Hollingsworth building at 5951 Endeavor Way in Huntsville-annexed Limestone County, Alabama, where HDT consolidated its military shelter manufacturing.
How many jobs did the HDT relocation bring?
More than 120 positions relocated from Buena Vista, Virginia, supported by a documented Alabama incentive package including recruitment and training support and a ten year Jobs Credit.
Does Hollingsworth serve defense manufacturers?
Yes. HDT consolidated its shelter manufacturing into a Hollingsworth building at SouthPoint Huntsville, and Hollingsworth also delivered a record-setting finish to suit for the United States Postal Service in Tennessee.
Why is SouthPoint Huntsville a fit for defense suppliers?
The park sits adjacent to I-65 and I-565 in one of the country's densest defense markets, with manufacturing grade buildings available ahead of demand.