Trucking company plans $50M facility in Botetourt

Warren, Michigan-based Universal Logistics Holdings is planning a $50 million investment to expand into Botetourt County, a project that is expected to create 45 jobs, the trucking and logistics company announced Wednesday.

The expansion will bolster the company’s heavy truck capabilities in servicing truck assembly operations, according to a news release. ULH will revamp a 254,000-square-foot facility at 1796 Lee Highway that is expected to begin operating in 2025. 

“Our expansion in the Roanoke region represents an exciting phase for Universal’s heavy truck division as we fortify our commitment to delivering top-tier services within the logistics and transportation sectors,” Universal CEO Tim Phillips said in a statement. “Our investment not only signifies our dedication to growth, but also underscores our pledge to contribute meaningfully to the local economy while creating employment opportunities for the community.”

The warehouse that Universal Logistics Holdings plans to renovate over the next year off Interstate 81 north of Roanoke was formerly a distribution facility for Southern States.

While the new facility is expected to create 45 direct jobs, John Hull, executive director of the Roanoke Regional Partnership, told Virginia Business on Wednesday he anticipates the project will also create 83 indirect, related jobs. The regional economic impact of ULH’s expansion is expected to be $43 million per year, he said.

The region is home to Volvo Trucks North America in Dublin, the company’s largest truck manufacturing plant, which builds Volvo VNR Electric semi-trucks, and in Salem’s former General Electric building, German vehicle parts manufacturer STS Group has established its North American headquarters. 

“The expansion of Universal demonstrates the region’s competitiveness in automotive manufacturing,” Hull said in a statement. “The Roanoke region is truly a center of excellence when it comes to automotive and heavy truck manufacturing with a strong portfolio of products and components.”

ULH is a holding company that owns subsidiaries providing transportation and logistics solutions throughout the United States, Mexico, Canada and Colombia. Its heavy truck division provides third-party assembly and warehouse services in the industrial sector.

Universal worked with Botetourt County, the Roanoke Regional Partnership and the Virginia Economic Development Partnership.

“We are extremely excited this project is locating to Botetourt County in a space that had been previously used for a warehouse operation. Universal will upgrade the use of the facility to manufacturing and will allow the talent of our community to excel. This announcement, along with the announcement of the commercial growth, is enhancing Botetourt in every direction,” Botetourt Board of Supervisors Vice Chair Amy White said in a statement.