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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Dedication Ceremony to be Held at New UGA Gwinnett Campus Facility

University of Georgia President Michael F. Adams will be among the speakers at the Aug. 27 dedication ceremony for UGA’s new Gwinnett Campus facility, located at 2530 Sever Road in Lawrenceville, just off I-85 at the Old Peachtree Road exit. The ceremony will begin at 4:30 p.m., with a reception and tours of the building immediately following.

Other speakers include Richard Tucker, chair of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia; Jan Sandor, assistant vice president for academic affairs at the Gwinnett Campus; and Hazel McMullin, deputy director of human resources for Gwinnett County, who is pursuing a master’s degree in public administration at the Gwinnett Campus.

UGA programs now occupy 60,000 square feet of the building on Sever Road known as the Intellicenter. The move from the campus previously shared with Georgia Gwinnett College took place this summer.

“We now have more space to accommodate our growing academic and continuing education programs in Gwinnett,” said Bob Boehmer, who oversees UGA’s extended campuses in Gwinnett, Griffin and Tifton. “The building is very accessible and provides flexible space for offices and classrooms of various sizes. Faculty, staff and students have been very enthusiastic about the new location.”

UGA has offered graduate degree programs in Gwinnett since the mid-1980s, but increased the number and variety of programs in recent years. Current offerings include master’s degrees from several UGA schools and colleges including the Terry College of Business, the School of Public and International Affairs, the School of Social Work, and the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

The College of Education offers both master’s and specialist (Ed.S.) degrees and is now offering a doctoral program in counseling and student personnel services. The first cohort started course work during the summer.

UGA’s College of Pharmacy offers certificate programs in pharmaceutical and biomedical regulatory affairs and in clinical trials management.

In addition to graduate programs, continuing education programs are offered at the new location. Programs are provided by the Georgia Center for Continuing Education, which also offers customized training for businesses and organizations. The Small Business Development Center and the Educational Technology Training Center operated by UGA’s College of Education also have offices in the new facility and provide professional training programs.

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