Cooper Steel Cuts the Ribbon on New Fabrication Shop, Continuing $65M Expansion Project in Bedford County
The state-of-the-art, 80,000 square foot facility will expand service capabilities and create additional jobs as part of the company’s continued investment in the area.
Cooper Steel, a national leader in steel management, fabrication, and erection, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony and celebration yesterday for its newest steel fabrication facility in Shelbyville and the company’s 65th anniversary.
The facility is part of a $65 million, seven-year expansion project in Shelbyville that is estimated to create more than 120 jobs on the Cooper Steel campus. The site broke ground earlier this year, elevating the company’s services and growing operational capacity with an 80,000 square foot expansion, state-of-the-art equipment, and innovative machinery.
The ribbon-cutting was attended by state and local leaders including Rep. Pat Marsh, Bedford County Mayor Chad Graham, Shelbyville Mayor Randy Carroll, members of the Shelbyville chamber and city council, first responders, local businesses, former and current Cooper Steel employees and more.
"We're grateful for businesses like Cooper Steel, who value Tennessee families, strengthen our economy, and are making significant contributions to the skilled labor workforce that continues to shape our future," said Gov. Bill Lee. "The construction of this fabrication shop alone provided work for more than 20 construction companies based in Middle Tennessee, and the facility will create over 50 high-quality jobs for Tennesseans in Bedford County and surrounding areas."
The company is hiring for various positions including in-office and trade labor roles, offering competitive pay and benefits. Like its existing fabrication shops, the new space is fully air conditioned—an amenity not commonly found in factory settings.
“This expansion is about more than meeting demand,” said Gary Cooper, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Cooper Steel. Gary’s father, Kenneth Cooper, founded the company in Shelbyville in 1960.
“It also reflects the trusted relationships we’ve built with our partners and team, the strong foundation laid by our history, and our commitment to investing in our community’s future. Our goal is for families to want to live here, work here, and grow here.”
As part of its ongoing community investment, Cooper Steel has developed a strong partnership with Bedford County schools to introduce various initiatives like the Cooper Steel Reading Program—which has supported more than 2.2 million minutes read by students—as well as the Attendance and Twelve/Twelve Legacy Programs. The company has also sponsored local high school athletic facility improvements, including a new turf football field, weight room, locker rooms, and more to help build a strong community for future generations.
“We’re proud of how far we’ve come and what brought us here,” Cooper said. “Setting high expectations for safety, quality, and performance, delivering on them with superior products and services, and treating people how we’d like to be treated in the process.”
