Southern Comfort Conversions: Difference between revisions

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[[Image:Southern Comfort Conversions Logo.jpg|right]]
[[Image:Southern Comfort Conversions Logo.jpg|right]]


'''Southern Comfort Conversions, Inc.''' is located in [[Trussville]] and is a leader in custom vehicle conversions in the United States. Its main facility is located at 7769 [[Gadsden Highway]] adjacent to the [[Amerex Corporation]]. Southern Comfort conversions can now be found in all 50 states and in countries across the world.
'''Southern Comfort Conversions, Inc.''' (originally '''AAA Auto Truck and Trailer''') was a custom vehicle manufacturer founded by [[Rod McSweeney]] in [[1979]]. The company got its start in [[Oneonta]] rebuilding van chassis for companies like Krispy Kreme and Frito-Lay, but moved into the business of customizing passenger vans for resale. It changed its name in [[1986]] and moved its headquarters to 7769 [[Gadsden Highway]] in [[Trussville]].


Southern Comfort was began in [[1979]] by [[Rod McSweeney]] as a personal hobby. This hobby would grow into a full-scale conversion business originally called '''AAA Auto Truck and Trailer'''. However, in [[1986]] the name was changed to Southern Comfort and it has remained since.  
In [[2006]], Southern Comfort purchased Centurion Vehicles of White Pigeon, Michigan, a licensed upfitter of Starcraft Conversions. With the acquisition, Southern Comfort became the largest pickup truck, van and SUV customizer in the United States with vehicles sold in all 50 states and in countries around the world.


Late that year, the company relocated to a new 532,000 square foot facility 4680 [[Pinson Valley Parkway]] near the intersection of [[Carson Road]] in the [[Pinson Valley Industrial Park]] in [[Center Point]]. A ribbon-cutting was held on [[November 17]], 2006 with [[Governor of Alabama|Governor]] [[Bob Riley]] and [[Center Point Mayor]] [[Tom Henderson]] in attendance.
Within a year, however, an economic downturn led McSweeney to sell the company, which then employed around 200 people, to a private equity firm. That company decided to shut down its Southern Comfort division in [[2009]].
McSweeney and his wife still owned the previous facility in Trussville. Along his sons [[Matthew McSweeney|Matt]] and [[Michael McSweeney|Michael]], McSweeney founded [[MCM Custom Vehicles]] in 2009 with many of the long-time Southern Comfort employees. That business grew into a family of related businesses re-incorporated in [[2012]] under the banner of [[McSweeeney Holdings]]. The recreation vehicle business continues as [[Storyteller Overland]].


==References==
==References==
* Southern Comfort Conversions, About Us. 3 Aug 2006 [http://www.scomfort.com/].
* "[http://www.scomfort.com/ About Us]" at scomfort.com - accessed January 31, 2007
* "[http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/061117/clf007.html?.v=70 Southern Comfort Conversions Announces Open House/Ribbon-Cutting Ceremonies Attended by Governor Bob Riley]". Yahoo Finance - accessed January 31, 2007
* Kent, Dawn (March 27, 2011) "Back in the black: MCM rebuilds its vehicle rebuilding business." {{BN}}


==External Links==
==External Links==
* [http://www.scomfort.com/ Southern Comfort Conversions, Inc.] official website
* [http://www.scomfort.com/ Southern Comfort Conversions] website


[[Category:Trussville businesses]]
[[Category:Major private companies]]
[[Category:Auto manufacturers]]
[[Category:1979 establishments]]
[[Category:2009 disestablishments]]
[[Category:Gadsden Highway]]
[[Category:Pinson Valley Industrial Park]]

Latest revision as of 16:46, 7 April 2021

Southern Comfort Conversions Logo.jpg

Southern Comfort Conversions, Inc. (originally AAA Auto Truck and Trailer) was a custom vehicle manufacturer founded by Rod McSweeney in 1979. The company got its start in Oneonta rebuilding van chassis for companies like Krispy Kreme and Frito-Lay, but moved into the business of customizing passenger vans for resale. It changed its name in 1986 and moved its headquarters to 7769 Gadsden Highway in Trussville.

In 2006, Southern Comfort purchased Centurion Vehicles of White Pigeon, Michigan, a licensed upfitter of Starcraft Conversions. With the acquisition, Southern Comfort became the largest pickup truck, van and SUV customizer in the United States with vehicles sold in all 50 states and in countries around the world.

Late that year, the company relocated to a new 532,000 square foot facility 4680 Pinson Valley Parkway near the intersection of Carson Road in the Pinson Valley Industrial Park in Center Point. A ribbon-cutting was held on November 17, 2006 with Governor Bob Riley and Center Point Mayor Tom Henderson in attendance.

Within a year, however, an economic downturn led McSweeney to sell the company, which then employed around 200 people, to a private equity firm. That company decided to shut down its Southern Comfort division in 2009.

McSweeney and his wife still owned the previous facility in Trussville. Along his sons Matt and Michael, McSweeney founded MCM Custom Vehicles in 2009 with many of the long-time Southern Comfort employees. That business grew into a family of related businesses re-incorporated in 2012 under the banner of McSweeeney Holdings. The recreation vehicle business continues as Storyteller Overland.

References

External Links

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