Georgia aviation firm creates joint venture with Japanese company

A Georgia-based aviation company is creating a joint venture with a Japanese aerospace corporation in a deal that is expected to bring 25 new jobs to west Georgia.

International Component Repair of Villa Rica said Thursday it will create a joint venture with IHI Corporation of Japan. The $10 million venture will manufacture fuel diverter valves, engine overhauls and other aviation parts.

For IHI, which has 26,000 employees worldwide, the move is an opportunity to establish a beachhead in the Southeast. Kaz Sato, the company’s vice president, said it was the firm’s first aerospace joint venture project.

Georgia economic development commissioner Chris Cummiskey said the department is focused on targeting the aviation industry.

“Aerospace remains a strategic industry for Georgia, so this decision helps further position Georgia as a competitive location for all sectors of the aerospace industry,” he said.