Gov. Nathan Deal today joined with county officials and company representatives in Meriwether County to announce that Seoul, South Korea-based Mando Corp. plans to open a high-tech manufacturing operation in the Meriwether County Industrial Park. The company plans to invest $200 million and create 426 jobs through opening this new facility. Mando’s Georgia plant will supply electric power steering gears and anti-lock brakes/ESC to vehicle manufacturers including Chrysler, General Motors, Hyundai and Kia, among others. This site will be Mando’s third location in the United States.

“Automotive supplier companies such as the Mando Corp. will find in Georgia the right mix of resources and unique assets that provide them with the most efficient access to their customers here and in markets around the world,” Deal said. “We take pride not only in the outstanding performance of our logistics infrastructure, but also our top-ranked workforce that helps Mando and other advanced manufacturers meet and exceed customer expectations.”

The Mando Corp. is one of the largest Korean automotive parts suppliers, manufacturing brake, steering, suspension and driver assist systems, and was created in 1962 under the original founder of the Halla Business Group. The company’s Georgia facility is planned to be a green, state of the art, high-tech manufacturing facility that will support the manufacturing and assembling of energy-efficient automotive parts to be used in North American automotive markets. This will be a new portfolio product for the company in America in its efforts to support cutting edge energy saving component manufacturing.

With extensive research and technology, Mando has succeeded through the development of advanced products and fuel saving technology, such as the anti-lock brake system, traction control, electronic stability control, continuous damping control and electric power steering. The new facility in Meriwether County will allow Mando to produce the new electric power steering gears and anti-lock/ESC brake systems here in the United States, initially for Chrysler, GM, Hyundai and Kia.

In addition to its proximity to Mando Corp.’s customers in the Southeast and North America, Meriwether County also provides the company with a well-trained workforce familiar with the company’s operational needs. Mando plans to employ approximately 200 people initially with anticipated growth in the near future. Of the 426 jobs to be created at the company’s Georgia plant, 380 will be advanced manufacturing positions, with the balance being positions in leadership.

“I am confident that the location of Mando in Meriwether Industrial Park will become an invaluable asset to Meriwether County and to the City of Hogansville,” said Robert Moreland, chairman of the Meriwether County Industrial Development Authority. “We look forward to a long and prosperous relationship.”

“On behalf of the Board of Commissioners I am extremely pleased that Mando Corporation has chosen Meriwether County as its newest location for opening an automotive parts manufacturing facility,” said Nancy Jones, chair of the Meriwether County Commission. “A company such as Mando will provide a tremendous economic boost to our county and surrounding area, and provide jobs that are vital for our citizens. It is a great new day in Meriwether County!”

The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) partnered with the Meriwether County Development Authority to bring this business opportunity to Georgia. GDEcD project managers E. Jane Caraway and Chip Mitchell managed this project on behalf of the state. Charles Stallworth and Clint Taylor managed this project on behalf of Georgia Power.

“Mando’s selection of Georgia is yet another testament to the strength of our system of logistics, highly skilled workforce and our geographic advantages that are hard to find in other states,” said Chris Cummiskey, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development. “The jobs Mando is creating in west-central Georgia will certainly add to that region’s growing tally of opportunities in the automotive and manufacturing sectors. Mando’s presence in our state helps Georgia live up to our commitment to be a competitive place to do business for this business and other automotive supplier companies.”