Korea Defense Manufacturer to Open Plant in Georgia

Expansion Management

Korean Manufacturer to Open Plant in Georgia

May 19, 2014

Dasan Machineries will invest $30 million and create 150 jobs in its first US plant.

Dasan Machineries, a Korea-based manufacturer, announced last week that it will locate to Georgia, creating 150 jobs and investing $30 million over the next three years.

The Duluth-based facility will be the company’s first headquarters in the United States. The company will use high-precision machinery to manufacture components for the automotive and defense industries at this new location. For more than 20 years, Dasan Machineries has been a leading producer of high-quality steel parts and components for the defense, auto and avionic industries.

"We were drawn to Gwinnett County and the state of Georgia because of the pro-business environment, skilled workforce and existing infrastructure that is available in the region," said Jin Noh, president of Dasan USA. "We were further excited to learn that Duluth is the center of Georgia's Korean-American community. As a family-owned business, we place a high value on being locally involved and hope to positively contribute to the area's growth and success for years to come."

Georgia has had continuous representation in Korea since 1985. Currently, there are more than 60 Korean facilities that operate in the state. Bill Dobbs, director of the ADAM (aerospace, defense, advanced manufacturing) team at the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), partnered with the Gwinnett Chamber Economic Development to assist the company on behalf of the state.

“Our longstanding business relationship with Korea is evident when state-of-the-art companies such as Dasan Machineries choose Georgia when they expand in this country,” said Governor Nathan Deal. “Dasan Machineries’ decision to move its first U.S. headquarters here is a testament to Georgia’s top-ranked workforce, interconnected highways and railway systems.”

About the Author

Adrienne Selko | Senior Editor

Focus: Workforce, Talent

Follow Me on Twitter: @ASelkoIW

Bio: Adrienne Selko has written about many topics over the 17 years she has been with the publication and currently focuses on workforce development strategies. Previously Adrienne was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck? which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics and EHS Today.

Editorial mission statement: Manufacturing is the enviable position of creating products, processes and policies that solve the world’s problems. When the industry stepped up to manufacture what was necessary to combat the pandemic, it revealed its true nature. My goal is to showcase the sector’s ability to address a broad range of workforce issues including technology, training, diversity & inclusion, with a goal of enticing future generations to join this amazing sector.

Why I find manufacturing interesting: On my first day working for a company that made medical equipment such as MRIs, I toured the plant floor. On every wall was a photo of a person, mostly children. I asked my supervisor why this was the case and he said that the work we do at this company has saved these people’s lives. “We never forget how important our work is and everyone’s contribution to that.” From that moment on I was hooked on manufacturing.

I have talked with many people in this field who have transformed their own career development to assist others. For example, companies are hiring those with disabilities, those previously incarcerated and other talent pools that have been underutilized. I have talked with leaders who have brought out the best in their workforce, as well as employees doing their best work while doing good for the world.