Japanese Industry to Locate to Gainesville-Hall County
Yazaki Corp. to hire 20 workers initially at North American headquarters here to manufacture fuel tanks
A Japanese manufacturer of fuel tanks will bring at least 20 new jobs to Gainesville-Hall County when it locates its North American headquarters in Gainesville.
The Yazaki Corp. of Iwata, Japan, announced on February 3 at a Greater Hall Chamber Media Conference that its new North American branch, the American Yazaki Corp., will soon open near Gainesville’s Industrial Park West on Atlanta Highway. The company plans to use the 45,000-square-foot manufacturing facility that once housed Hibino Corp. of America to produce multi-layered fuel tanks that are built to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. Production should begin late this year, and plans are to expand the business to employ 30 to 40 people.
Yasuo Yazaki, president of American Yazaki Corp., said the fuel tanks produced in Gainesville will meet emissions standards in California, which has the most stringent emissions standards in the United States.
“We expect this tougher California standard will eventually become the U.S. standard,” Yazaki said.
Yazaki said the company chose to locate its North American headquarters in Gainesville because of the quality of the area’s workforce, a long-term commitment of training support from the state’s Quick Start program and Lanier Technical College.
The consul general of Japan, Takuji Hanatani, was on hand at the announcement. Hanatani said participating in celebrations of new industries and industry expansions was one of the most gratifying parts of his job.
“We are very excited about the future for our new U.S.-based manufacturing center and the level of service we will be able to deliver to our customers,” said Nao Yazaki, Executive Vice President of Yazaki Corporation. “Initially, we considered Georgia because of the proximity to our customers and the outstanding infrastructure for moving our product and people throughout North America. The quality of the workforce and the long-term commitment of training support from the Quick Start Program and Lanier Technical College have really been differentiating factors for us.”
“This is a great fit for Yazaki and this community,” said Russell Vandiver, Vice President of Economic Development at Lanier Technical College and Chairman of the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Council. “American Yazaki Corporation joins a world-class business community that operates on a global stage. The Quick Start training program will provide a customized initiative for the initial start-up, and Lanier Technical College will be a long-term training partner for a skilled and eager workforce.”
Yasuo Yazaki will serve as President and CEO of the new company, “Our partners in Gainesville-Hall County and Georgia have demonstrated they are invested in our success and share our values for a long-term partnership. The level of professional support has been exceptional from the business and elected leadership, the State of Georgia and the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce,” said Yazaki.
“We are very pleased American Yazaki Corporation will be a part the business community in Gainesville-Hall County and Georgia,” said Kit Dunlap, President and CEO of the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce. “The jobs and investment are already having an impact on citizens and local businesses. We are grateful for the support our economic development efforts have had from the Georgia Department of Economic Development, Quick Start, Lanier Technical College and Georgia EMC.”
Job postings will be placed with the Georgia Department of Labor, and interested applicants are encouraged to consult the Gainesville Career Center for more information online at www.dol.state.ga.us
Related Information www.dol.state.ga.us