Toyo Tire North America Manufacturing, Inc. (TNA) announced last week that it will expand its current facility in Georgia creating a total of 650 new jobs. The company will invest $371 million over the next four years.
The expansion of TNA will add 700,000 square feet to its current 2-million-square-foot manufacturing plant by the end of 2017. At the same time, it will expand its warehousing footprint by 30%.
According to the company, these expansions are necessary to meet the growing demand within North America. Once completed, the expanded facility will continue to manufacture premium light truck and passenger car tires.
“Georgia’s strong automotive manufacturing sector helps innovative companies such as Toyo Tire,” said Gov. Nathan Deal. “The company’s commitment to Georgia over international competition speaks to the high level of our pro-business climate and solid relationship with our international partner, Japan.”
The company, which was founded in 1945 and headquartered in Japan, has been operating in the North American market for nearly 50 years. In 2004, the company established its first North American manufacturing plant near White, Ga.
Since the first tire rolled off the line in 2006, it has more than doubled the size of the facility through expansion projects and grown from 81 employees to more than 1,000 employees
“We are proud to manufacture tires for North America, in North America,” said Jim Hawk president, Toyo Tire North America Manufacturing, Inc. “This plant, and the people who work in it, play an important role in supporting consumers and our dealers as the demand for our products continues to grow. This fourth expansion will help us answer that demand.”