The Andalusia Industrial Development Board on Thursday approved the sale of a building to Jimmy Pate of Covington Heavy Duty Equipment.

The building, the first spec building ever built in the industrial park, previously was home to AmeriDoor and to SaeHaeSung. It is the first building on the right inside the park, adjacent to SaeHaeSung.

Pate explained Thursday afternoon that he has expanded his business to include cleaning supplies and equipment like pressure washers.

“This used to be a division of Taylor Parts, back in the 70s,” Pate said. “It was sold to CarQuest. When Advance Auto Parts bought out CarQuest, they didn’t want to be in the cleaning business.”

Pate said he bought the inventory and added a division to Covington Heavy Duty Equipment. The division employs both salespeople, and people in the warehouse.

“We have five working in this division starting off, and we hope to get it to 15 or 20,” he said, adding that he plans a grand opening after the first of the year.

The board authorized the sale of the building for $200,000. Mayor Earl Johnson noted that the 20-year-old, 30,000 square-foot building has been used for manufacturing and needs work.

“If Jimmy keeps it here, it will create 12 or 15 good jobs,” Johnson told board members. “He will get it in good shape and clean it up.”

The board unanimously approved.

Pate was already operating out of the facility on a short-term basis, Johnson said.

“This is a win-win,” he said. “It’s a good building for Jimmy, and it keeps jobs in Andalusia.”

Pate employs more than 75 people in nine stores.