Georgia Recruits another Major Chinese Manufacturer as State, Region Increase Ties to World's Fastest-Growing Economy

Sany America Inc. Expected to Bring 200 Jobs, $30 Million in Investment Over Five Years

ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue announced today that Georgia has recruited another major Chinese manufacturer. Sany Heavy Industry Co. Ltd., a major heavy construction equipment manufacturer, is expected to bring 200 jobs and $30 million in investment over five years to its first North American assembly plant, which will be located in Peachtree City.

“We’ve had great success building a relationship between China and Georgia, which has led to this announcement of our third significant Chinese manufacturer choosing a Georgia location,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “With the announcement of Sany’s selection of Peachtree City, we look forward to forging even stronger ties between the business communities of China and Georgia.”

Sany Heavy Industry Co., Ltd., based in Changsha, is the largest concrete-pumping equipment company in China, with 8,000 employees and 2006 sales of about $594 million. As sales grow in the U.S. market, the company has the potential to create up to 600 jobs at the new campus in Fayette County. Sales, service, assembly, testing and distribution, as well as research and development, will all take place at the new facilities, which will serve as corporate headquarters for Sany America Inc.

“We chose metro Atlanta and Georgia to build our U.S. headquarters and assembly center for several reasons,” said Sany America president Lincoln Liang. “North America has a large market for our products, and Georgia occupies an important geographical location with convenient transportation. Most importantly, support for foreign investment from the State and the local governments in metro Atlanta is systematic and well-structured. They understand Chinese businesses.”

In June 2006, Chinese food processing machinery manufacturer Ningbo Lehui Food Machinery Co., Ltd. announced that it had formed a joint venture with New Jersey-based W.Y. Industries, Inc. That joint venture, Kingwasong LLC, is now building a plant in Newnan, creating 200 jobs and attracting $12 million to $15 million in new investment to the area. In May 2007, China-based General Protecht Group purchased 211 acres of land in Barnesville, Lamar County, to build an assembly and distribution facility for electrical products, wired devices, and other related products.

“We are able to attract Chinese manufacturers half a world away because we’ve got everything they need: a home base located in the heart of the nation’s fastest-growing region, a low cost of doing business and access to the world through our international airport,” said Sam A. Williams, president of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, which took an active role in encouraging the project. “Now we’re working on attracting a Chinese consulate to Atlanta and a direct air route to China.”

“We are honored and pleased that Sany America has chosen Peachtree City as the location for the company’s U.S. operations and headquarters,” said Harold Logsdon, mayor of Peachtree City. “This decision substantiates our efforts to create a world class business environment in Peachtree City. With over thirty industries from ten foreign countries currently residing in Peachtree City, we are proud to have Sany America become the first Chinese company to join our large and diverse international business community. We will continue to promote our community to the world in order to stay competitive in today’s global economy.”

Fayette County and Peachtree City are home to the U.S. headquarters of international companies such as Cooper Lighting, Cooper Wiring Devices, Hoshizaki America, Rinnai America, Shinsei, Sigvaris, Wilden Plastics and World Air Holdings.

Sany Heavy Industry products include trailer-mounted and truck-mounted concrete pumps, high-grade road construction machinery such as full hydraulic vibratory rollers and asphalt pavers, and shoveling conveyance and grabbing machinery like full hydraulic bulldozers and crawler hydraulic excavators. In all, the company covers eight categories and 50 specifications of construction machinery products.

China is Georgia’s third-largest export destination at $1.1 billion last year, moving up from sixth in 2005. Trade to and from China (including Hong Kong) flowing through Atlanta, Savannah and Brunswick totaled $16.7 billion in 2006 moving via air and ocean transport.  The Georgia U.S. Customs District ranks seventh among all U.S. districts for exports and imports with China (including Hong Kong), as well as the second on the U.S. East Coast. According to the Georgia Ports Authority, China and Hong Kong accounted for more than 43 percent of the Port of Savannah's total container volume in 2006.

Numerous Georgia companies have operations in China, including UPS, GE Energy and Delta Air Lines, which has announced its intention to seek direct service from Atlanta to Shanghai. Over half a dozen Georgia universities have connections with China, including Georgia Tech’s partnership with Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Georgia’s Chinese community of approximately 24,000 people is served by the Chinese consulate in Houston. Georgia officials are actively pursuing the establishment of a new consulate in Atlanta. The Georgia economic development office in Beijing, set to open this year, will be Georgia’s 11th international office.