Nippon Light Metal Georgia (NLMGA), a joint venture between Nippon Light Metal North America, Inc. and ITOCHU Metals Corporation, broke ground on a $50 million project to construct a new aluminum forging plant in Adairsville, Georgia, for the production of automotive suspension parts.
As tighter environment regulations are implemented around the world and the need for lighter-weight vehicles grows, it is expected that demand for aluminum products will also expand further in North America. In establishing a new facility in North America, Nippon Light Metal is aiming to strengthen its global supply structure by drawing on ITOCHU Metals’ business experience and network.
“This facility is the beginning of our dream to manufacture aluminum forged suspension parts in the U.S.,” said Katsu Nakajima, president of NLMGA. “We are excited to locate in the Adairsville community.”
The groundbreaking event was attended by Nippon Light Metal executives and local government officials. “This announcement is exciting news for Adairsville and the State of Georgia,” said Brian P. Kemp, governor of Georgia. “NLMGA is manufacturing the innovative products that will fuel the future of the automotive industry, and we are grateful that they chose to invest in our state. This new facility will create great opportunities for hardworking Georgians in Bartow County, and I am confident that our readily-available workforce will ensure their success in the region.”
It is expected that the new NLMGA facility will create 110 new jobs. “Congratulations to NLMGA as they break ground on this fantastic new facility in Adairsville,” said Pat Wilson, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD). “This project is a testament to the strength of the automotive and manufacturing industries in Georgia and the collaborative effort between our state and local economic development partners.”
Through the new facility, Nippon Light Metal hopes to achieve further growth and business expansion as a corporate group in order to continue creating value for its customers in the automotive sector. The company expects that the forging operation to commence operation in 2022.