Kia Motors' First U.S. Manufacturing Plant Starts Production in West Point, GA

/PRNewswire/ -- The first U.S.-built Kia vehicle(1), a white 2011 MY Sorento CUV, rolled off the production line today at Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG), officially opening the first U.S. Kia Motors(2) plant. KMMG is expected to produce 300,000 vehicles at full capacity and employ 2,500 people, with on-site and nearby suppliers creating 7,500 additional jobs in the region.

"The start of production for our first manufacturing facility in the United States further demonstrates our commitment to growth in North America and we are proud to be adding 2,500 jobs to the local economy," said B.M. Ahn, group president and CEO, Kia Motors America (KMA) and KMMG.

Representing an investment by Kia Motors of $1 billion, KMMG will establish new benchmarks for vehicle quality and productivity by utilizing some of the world's most advanced manufacturing techniques. KMMG's general assembly area is outfitted with more than a half mile of height-adjustable conveyors to achieve the most favorable installation position for each team member and reduce physical fatigue. Also in general assembly, KMMG is the only plant in North America outfitted with wood flooring, which provides a more comfortable and forgiving work environment for team members.

Built on 2,200 acres, the complex includes a body stamping facility, a transmission shop where the all-new 2011 Sorento's six-speed automatic transmission is produced, and a two mile test track in addition to the main assembly plant. The plant's 186-foot-long stamping press delivers 5,400 tons of pressure to stamp steel into 17 different types of vehicle panels for the all-new Sorento, operating at a speed of seven to 15 strokes per minute. The massive stamping equipment spans from almost 20 feet below the floor to 39.4 feet high.

KMMG continues Kia Motors' aggressive investment in the U.S. market. Since 2002, more than $1.3 billion has been invested in various facilities throughout the country, including a dedicated corporate campus and design center in Irvine, Calif., a state-of-the-art research and development center in Ann Arbor, Mich. and custom-built vehicle proving grounds in Mojave, Calif.

Since coming to market in the United States, Kia Motors, through its US-based marketing and distribution arm, KMA, has expanded to a full product line of vehicles and enjoyed 14 years of consecutive market share increases, including a 50 percent increase through October 2009. Most recently, KMA posted its best sales quarter in company history and is one of only three automakers whose sales are up over their 2008 sales pace.

About Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia

Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia, Inc. (KMMG) is the first manufacturing site in North America for Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, Korea. KMMG is located on 2,200 acres in West Point, Georgia. At full capacity, the plant will have the ability to produce 300,000 vehicles annually and employ approximately 2,500 team members.

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Simmons Consolidates Atlanta Manufacturing Operations into Existing Facilities

BUSINESS WIRE --Simmons Bedding Company announced today that it is transitioning its Atlanta manufacturing operations to the company’s facilities in Dallas, Texas; Waycross, Ga. and Charlotte, N.C. with an anticipated effective date of September 18. The move is part of an ongoing effort to optimize Simmons’ operations network in the southeastern United States and will create a more efficient production and delivery system without disrupting service to retailers in the region.

“The decision to close our Atlanta manufacturing facility is a very difficult one for us because of its impact on loyal Simmons associates,” said Simmons Chairman and CEO Charlie Eitel. “Until recently, we believed our Atlanta facility would continue to be part of our manufacturing network; however, due to weaker than expected business conditions, we simply could not justify maintaining two manufacturing plants in the state of Georgia.”

In 2004, Simmons opened a new, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Waycross, Ga., which has emerged as one of the top manufacturing plants in the Simmons network. Employing 211 associates, the facility offers excellent safety, quality and service, as well as lower manufacturing costs.

This past April, Simmons reduced its Atlanta production to one shift and moved a portion of business to what is also a new, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Dallas. The balance of Atlanta’s production will shift to the Waycross and Charlotte plants on September 18.

According to Kimberly Samon, Simmons’ executive vice president of human resources, the company decided to consolidate its southeast manufacturing operations because of reduced utilization. “Due to the current economic situation, our southeastern facilities have not been operating at full capacity,” said Samon. “Consolidating our manufacturing operations resolves that issue; however, we regret that it will negatively impact our Atlanta associates. We have no further plans to close other facilities.”

The Waycross, Dallas and Charlotte plants are three of Simmons’ leading manufacturing facilities: the Waycross plant has been nominated for the Georgia Manufacturer of the Year award each of the past two years and features a new 250,000 square foot building that showcases lean manufacturing; in April 2008, the Dallas plant moved its operations into a brand new facility that includes environmentally-friendly aspects like energy-efficient lighting and high-efficiency air compressors; and the Charlotte plant’s achievements include being selected for OSHA’s Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) by the North Carolina Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety & Health Division and receiving the 2003 Tony Saliture Award for Operational Excellence, Simmons’ highest honor.

The closure of the Atlanta facility will result in the layoffs of 91 associates and 12 administrative and management team members, whom Simmons is helping to transition through this difficult time. Nonunion employees will receive severance packages scaled according to tenure, subsidized health insurance for the length of the severance period, outplacement assistance and access to Simmons’ Employee Assistance Program, which includes job, financial and personal counseling. Union employees will receive a severance package that is subject to bargaining with their union.

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Kia now accepting job applications for Georgia auto plant

Governor Sonny Perdue and Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia today invited interested Georgians to begin submitting applications for positions at the Kia auto assembly facility currently under construction in West Point, Ga.

“This is a very exciting day, and one we’ve been looking forward to since Kia chose Georgia for its first U.S. plant,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “The positive economic impact of these jobs will affect not only the families of Kia workers and the immediate region, but all of Georgia.”

“Kia is now hiring!” said Byung Mo Ahn, president of Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia, Inc. during a press conference held at the Callaway Center on the campus of West Georgia Technical College. “We are looking for the best-qualified candidates to become Kia team members, and encourage all Georgians interested to apply on-line at www.kiajobsingeorgia.com.”

As part of its commitment to hire approximately 2,500 workers for the new plant, Kia will hire members of its production, maintenance and die maintenance teams through an on-line only application process facilitated by the Georgia Department of Labor. Interested applicants will find complete information and instructions at www.KiaJobsinGeorgia.com. Applications must be completed by Feb. 7, 2008, and the company anticipates making preliminary job offers around April 2008.

Prospective applicants can access the Web site from their home computers or from Georgia’s 53 Department of Labor Career Centers, whose personnel have been trained to assist them.
Workforce training will be conducted by the Georgia Department of Technical and Adult Education’s (DTAE) Quick Start program, which is building a training facility on the Kia site to provide workers with the skills they will need when the plant begins production in 2009.

The Kia facility, its first in the U.S., will eventually produce 300,000 vehicles a year. The economic impact to the state of Georgia is expected to be approximately $4 billion per year, according to a Georgia Tech study commissioned by the Georgia Department of Economic Development.

Major Kia supplier to locate manufacturing facility in LaGrange

Today Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue announced that Sewon Precision, a major Kia supplier, will locate its first U.S. plant in LaGrange. The company plans to create 700 jobs and invest $170 million in a facility to manufacture automotive components for the Kia plant in West Point over a three year period.

“Landing a top-tier supplier such as Sewon Precision indicates that communities across West Georgia are continuing to benefit from Kia’s decision to locate in our state,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “Suppliers have announced upwards of 2,000 jobs on top of the 2,800 that Kia will bring.”

Sewon Precision, based in Daegu, Korea, will produce stamped chassis and body components as well as some decorative trim pieces for Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia. The company has selected a 65-acre site at the Callaway South Industrial Park in Troup County.

Construction will begin in spring 2008 on the 420,000-square-foot building. The facility is scheduled to go into production in fall 2009.

The Sewon Group, which is the parent company of Sewon Precision, has a more than 20-year history as a Kia supplier in Korea. This will be the company’s first plant in the United States. Governor Perdue met with senior Sewon officials in October during the Kia supplier dinner in Seoul.

“We are looking forward to making LaGrange and Georgia our new home,” said Moon-Ki Kim, CEO and chairman of Sewon Precision Industrial Company Limited. “Sewon Precision is celebrated for its high quality automotive parts and I know we will continue our tradition of excellence here.”

Today Sewon officials and representatives from the Development Authority of LaGrange signed a memorandum of understanding regarding the project.

Mark Lytle was project manager for the Georgia Department of Economic Development.

“We are proud to welcome Sewon to LaGrange,” said Diethard Lindner, chairman of the Development Authority of LaGrange. “Sewon is the perfect anchor company for our new 1,200-acre Callaway South Industrial Park in LaGrange. Strong teamwork from the state, the Callaway Foundation, Troup County officials, City of LaGrange officials, the Chamber of Commerce and the Development Authority helped us attract Sewon Precision and we will all benefit from having such a high quality company in our community.”

Since its founding in 1985, Sewon has pursued a business strategy exemplified by management accountability, client confidence in its products and the growth of its business partners. Sewon Co. specializes in the manufacture of automotive parts and ornaments. The company has achieved superior product development and manufacturing technologies through the Six Sigma revolution and productivity enhancement plans.