Submitted PhotoSteeda Autosports observes its 10-year anniversary in Valdosta-Lowndes County. 

VALDOSTA – Steeda Autosports observed 10 years since opening its manufacturing facility in Valdosta-Lowndes County.

The company opened its South Georgia site Dec. 4, 2008. 

Valdosta-Lowndes County Development Authority hosted an anniversary celebration for employees on Thursday, Dec. 20, at the facility, development authority members said.

“It is always important to recognize our existing industries like Steeda who provide employment for local residents and continue to invest into our community,” said Andrea Schruijer, executive director, Valdosta-Lowndes County Development Authority.

Steeda Autosports engineers and manufactures performance and appearance products for the Ford Mustang, Ford Fusion, Ford Focus, Ford Fiesta and Ford Edge.

“Originally founded in 1988, Dario Orlando chose to apply his extensive background in engineering and racecar development experience to the task of elevating Ford performance vehicles to levels of un-paralleled performance,” according to authority members. “Due to many years of success, Steeda has several locations around the country including the one here in Valdosta.”

When Steeda opened its doors in 2008, it had five employees including a welder, assembler, shipper, salesman and a director of manufacturing. Currently, it employs more than 30 people with jobs including assembly, engineering and design, machinist, marketing, powder coating, sales, shop technicians, social media, videographer, website & SEO and welding, according authority members.

One reason Steeda located in Valdosta-Lowndes County was to compete in the world market.

“Valdosta-Lowndes County has made it very competitive for manufacturing because the cost of living and working is much more affordable here,” Orlando said. “We have seen a 40 percent growth in manufacturing since being in Valdosta.”

More than 3,000 parts are manufactured in Valdosta related to the automotive industry annually, authority members said.

“Steeda has the best employees,” Orlando said. 

From welders, machinist to assemblers, the company has hired dozens of employees from technical colleges including Wiregrass Georgia Technical College.

“These employees come to us with a good foundation that we are then able to tweak to the next level of manufacturing for our specific needs,” Orlando said. “They share the same passion about the automotive aftermarket that we do.”