Toyo Tire expanding Georgia plant, adding up to 470 jobs

ERJ staff report (TB)

Bartow County, Georgia -- Toyo Tire USA Corp. executives and Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal have signed an agreement to expand the county's bonding capacity by an additional $910 million, enabling the tyre maker to expand its tyre plant there and add up to 470 new jobs over the next few years.

The governor made a visit to the factory July 12 to reaffirm the the bond expansion, which he had announced last November.

A press statement from the governor's office noted that Toyo's Bartow County facility was the Cypress, Calif.-based tyre maker's first US consumer tyre production operation. The 900,000-sq.-ft. plant, in operation since 2006, includes a manufacturing facility and warehouse to serve the company's customers nationwide. Toyo expanded the facility by another 820,000 square feet in 2008, growing its workforce to 700 people. Then last year, the company announced a further 200-job expansion at the site.

With the capacity enabled by the bonding, the governor's office said Toyo's employment could grow to 1,340 workers by 2020.

“This agreement is a great example of the kind of business-friendly environment we pride ourselves on here in Georgia,” Gov. Deal said. “I applaud the vision of Bartow County's leadership for taking steps to ensure the community and the company will continue to benefit from this very productive partnership.”

“The pro-business environment and cooperation from the State of Georgia and Bartow County have exceeded our expectations. Our start-up and growth have proceeded more quickly than planned,” said Jim Hawk, president of Toyo Tire North America Manufacturing, in a state press release. “Georgia Quick Start continues to be a significant part of our success. With the continuation of support from the Bartow County Joint Development Authority, we will be in a position to continue our growth.”

Georgia Quick Start is the state's workforce development program that, according to the governor's office, “played an integral part in Toyo's success.” Bartow County is designated a Georgia Certified Work Ready Community.

Bartow County Sole Commissioner Clarence Brown said that “throughout the economic crisis our community has gone through, it was remarkable to me that Toyo held their employment levels steady. We've always been grateful for Toyo's decision to locate here, but during times like these the jobs they have provided to our citizens are even more meaningful. Everyone is so happy that they have the chance to grow again, but, for me, I'm most appreciative of the jobs.”

Georgia is home to more than 230 automotive-related manufacturing companies employing nearly 52,000 workers, according to the state.

Chris Cummiskey, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, said the state's “business advantages are custom-made for aggressive automotive companies like Toyo Tires. Our logistics system enables companies to streamline distribution, expedite shipments and reduce supply chain costs, and we can deliver a highly trained workforce thanks to the Quick Start program.”

From Tire Business (A Crain publication)