Powered by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Web Search by YAHOO!
 

Posted: 9:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Yamaha expands ATV plant in Newnan

  • comment(4)

By Christopher Seward

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corp., the world’s largest maker of of all-terrain vehicles, has opened a second assembly plant in Newnan and will hire 100 employees to work on a new side-by-side utility vehicle.

The Japanese company also said Tuesday it has completed transferring all of its ATV production to the Coweta County plant, 30 minutes south of Atlanta.

The plant currently employs 1,250 workers. In addition to the 100 to be hired, an additional 300 workers could be added in years to come, the company said.

The facility already produces Yamaha’s Grizzly 700 FI all-terrain vehicle and the YFZ450R sport ATV. The new plant will produce the Viking side-by-side vehicle and other models.

“Yamaha continues to ramp up U.S. production thanks to the ATV production transfer, the introduction of all-new products like the Viking, and improving market conditions,” said Mike Martinez, vice president of Yamaha’s ATV/SxS group.

Martinez said it makes “great business sense” to move production to Newnan from overseas because more than 70 percent of global ATV sales are in the U.S.

Since the company began transferring all ATV production to Newnan in 2011, Yamaha said it has added 200 jobs in Georgia between its Newnan factory and corporate offices in Kennesaw in Cobb County.

The company said it has invested $250 million in its Newnan operations in the past 12 years. The facility is now Yamaha’s worldwide hub for ATV/SxS production and distribution. The company also has operations in California, Wisconsin, Texas, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Illinois, New Jersey and Washington.

  • comment(4)

More News

 

Today on MyAJC.com

Hotoberfest kicks off another season of beer festivals

Hotoberfest kicks off season of beer festivals

Looking for something to do this weekend? If you are a beer lover, you might want to check out Hotoberfest 2013 at Historic Fourth Ward Park on North Avenue.

APS superintendent: Close 13 schools

Image hurts, helps in search for new superintendent

The hunt for a new leader of Atlanta Public Schools has picked up steam, with superintendent candidates being targeted from across the country to replace Erroll Davis, who will retire next year.

myajc logo 300x225

New 24-hour Digital Pass: Sample all of MyAJC.com for 99 cents

With a 24-hour digital pass, you can enjoy full versions of premium articles, news updates and access to the AJC online archives.

Top news now from the AJC