Kia Supplier Hanil E-Hwa to Locate Manufacturing Facility in Troup County

ATLANTA–Governor Sonny Perdue announced today that Seoul, Korea-based manufacturer Hanil E-Hwa will locate a new manufacturing facility in LaGrange in Troup County, investing $8.45 million and creating 173 jobs over the next three years.  Hanil E-Hwa is one of a growing number of Kia suppliers locating in the west Georgia region near the automotive manufacturer’s Georgia operation. 

  “Kia suppliers like Hanil E-Hwa continue to strengthen the recovering economy in west Georgia and throughout the state,” said Governor Perdue.  “I am proud to say that we can now directly attribute the creation of nearly 3,000 jobs in this region to Kia and its supplier companies.”

Hanil E-Hwa manufactures automotive interior parts such as door trim, seats, head lining, shelf covering, and package trays among other parts.  The manufacturer uses resin pellets and injection molding to make door trim, painted interior door parts and wheel caps for Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia.  The company is expected to begin production in October of this year.

“West Georgia and Troup County is a strategic location for our company, allowing greater access to one of our primary customers, Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia,” said Hanil E-Hwa representative, Yang Suk Ryu.  “We’re excited to expand our U.S. operations, and take advantage of the highly-skilled workforce in this region to create meaningful opportunities in this community and better serve our customers.”

Troup County, one of Georgia’s Certified Work Ready Communities of Excellence, is home to a highly-skilled pool of talent for operations such as the new Hanil E-Hwa manufacturing operation.  The Georgia Work Ready program works with counties throughout Georgia to ensure that the state’s workforce remains a primary competitive advantage.  The company’s LaGrange plant will locate in a 178,354-square-foot facility in Troup County in close proximity to Kia.

“Hanil E-Hwa has been in our sights for a long time,” said Diethard Lindner, chairman of the Development Authority of LaGrange. “I was left with a great impression when we visited the company’s plant in Korea in May of 2007, and that impression remained very positive when we toured the company’s U.S. operations in April of this year. I am delighted that Hanil E-Hwa has selected LaGrange and Troup County for its Kia supplier site.”

“We are very pleased that Hanil E-Hwa decided to locate a manufacturing plant in LaGrange,” said Mayor Jeff Lukken.  “It is an impressive company that will provide quality jobs to our community.  We are looking forward to helping them equip and staff their new facility so they can start production as soon as possible.”

Georgia’s nationally recognized Quick Start workforce training program will assist the Hanil E-Hwa manufacturing operation in preparing new hires for work at the LaGrange facility.  Quick Start provides customized workforce training free-of-charge as an incentive for companies to create new jobs in Georgia.

Georgia Department of Economic Development project manager Yoonie Kim assisted the company with its location.

About Hanil E-Hwa

Hanil E-Hwa Co., Ltd. engages in the manufacture and sale of trim assembly and seat assembly products for the automotive interior industry in Korea and internationally. The company offers car interior parts, such as door trims, seats, head linings, package trays, and covering shelves. Hanil E-Hwa Co. was established in 1972 and is based in Seoul, Korea.  Those interested in a career opportunity with Hanil E-Hwa should mail a resume to the Hanil E-Hwa Human Resource Department at 104 Wiley Road, LaGrange, Georgia 30240.

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