Georgia Kia plant still looking for job applicants

By Jeffry Scott

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

WEST POINT – Kia Motors Corp. executives said Friday their $1-billion assembly plant about 75 miles southwest of Atlanta could increase its current number of employees from 1,200 to 3,500, once a second shift is started this summer, and if a second model goes into production.

During a press conference at the plant’s official grand opening, Randy Jackson, the plant's vice president of human resources and administration, said the company is still accepting applicants for the second shift, which will probably start running in July.

Jackson said the company so far has received 30,000 applications for second shift jobs and is still accepting them.

“Our goal is to put 1,000 or 1,200 more [employees] in the building,” for the second shift, he said during a morning news conference.

Jackson said upping the total to 3,500 workers will also depend on a second model being built, which hasn’t yet been decided. The number also includes those who would be employed by outside suppliers.

The plant has been running since November and produced more than 15,000 Kia Sorentos, the only model it currently builds. When running at full capacity the huge plant – the six-building complex covers 650 acres – can produce 300,000 vehicles a year.

The event was attended by Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue, Sen. Saxby Chambliss and other dignitaries who heard a keynote speech from Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group chairman and CEO Chung Mong Koo, delivered in halting English. Subtitles in English were displayed on TV monitors around the banquet room while he spoke.

Chung told the crowd of about 500, consisting of executives from Kia offices in the U.S. and Korea, “I believe the plant will play a leading role in the revitalization of the entire American auto industry.”

Perdue said bringing the plant to Georgia, a process that began seven years ago when he met with Kia officials in Korea, is one of his greatest accomplishments as governor.

“This is a momentous day for Georgia as Kia Motors has brought thousands of new jobs to this area and is truly delivering as tremendous corporate citizen,” said Perdue.

The over all economic impact of the plant on Georgia, officials said, is worth $4 billion a year.