Barton, AL – National Alabama officials say they are pushing back production plans at the company's new railcar plant due to the economy.
Spokesman Peter Earle said it appears the first railcar will roll off the line in late April or early May instead of February.
But he said the company's vision hasn't changed for the plant, which will be 2 million square feet and employ more than 1,500 workers when fully operational in northwest Alabama.
The site will produce 8,000 to 10,000 railcars a year.
Earle said 2008 has been a weak year in the cargo business and company projections show the same for 2009.
Still, he said things are looking better in the long-term and they expect to rebound in 2011 and 20012.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)