Neel-Schaffer played big roles in the construction of the Nissan and Toyota manufacturing plants in Mississippi, now our
firm is helping build a new plant for one of the largest tire makers in the world.

Neel-Schaffer is working for the Mississippi Development Authority, providing project management services for the $330 million first phase construction for the Yokohama Rubber Company plant in Clay County, just outside of West Point. Neel-Schaffer has a work trailer onsite and is testing nearly every day, reports Kevin Stafford, PE, who works out of the Columbus office and manages Neel-Schaffer’s North Mississippi operations.

Some 40,000 yards of dirt is being moved per day, preparing the pad for the first phase of construction. An estimated 1.4 million yards of dirt will be removed, with some 700,000 of select material brought in. Dirt work is expected to be finished in March.

Yokohama plans to begin making tires at the plant in October of 2015. Ultimately, the plant will have 1 million square feet under roof, with production, warehouse and operations facilities.

In 2012, Yokohama was ranked as the eighth largest tire producer in the world, with sales of $5.57 billion.

Before on-site dirt work began, Neel-Schaffer was involved in the off-site preparation. Working as a subconsultant to Calvert-Spradling Engineers of West Point, Neel-Schaffer completed the environmental assessment and permits for the new roadway entrance to the plant and for the new rail spur to the site. Additionally, we assisted the county engineer
with plans for four bridges, three box culverts and the geotechnical study for the roadway and the rail spur.

“I have been able to see it from its inception,” said Stafford. “Chasing this project, it’s been fun to see it come to this area. And working with the state, like we’ve been doing with Nissan, has been a great experience.”