Auto supplier DongNam Tech to locate in Columbus

Floor mat supplier to create 350 jobs, invest $29 million in new facility

ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue announced today that automotive supplier DongNam Tech would locate its first U.S. plant in Columbus, creating 350 jobs and investing $29 million.

"Automotive suppliers are flocking to West Georgia in order to provide services to Kia and the other automakers in the Southeast," said Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue. "The thriving business environment in Columbus offers prospects a strong workforce and connected transportation network that make it a natural choice for companies such as DongNam Tech."

DongNam Tech is creating a U.S. offshoot called DNT Georgia for the new facility, planned to be 100,000 square feet on 26 acres in the Muscogee Technology Park. The company will manufacture carpet and floor mats for a number of automakers and suppliers, including Hyundai Mobis, Kia Mobis, General Motors and Nissan. DNT expects to be in production by January 2009.

Pochun, Korea-based DongNam has a long history as a supplier to Kia and related companies. In addition to the new facility in Columbus, DongNam also has a distribution center in Detroit.

"Our new location in Georgia will allow us to make the best quality carpet and floor mats for our automotive customers," said DongNam Tech CEO Ki-bong Lee. "We look forward to making our home in Muscogee County."

"We are pleased to welcome DNT Georgia to Columbus," said Dick Ellis, chairman of the Development Authority of Columbus. "The local workforce is looking forward to helping their first U.S. manufacturing facility be a shining success, and we know DNT Georgia will become a great corporate citizen."

Yoonie Kim, project manager for the Georgia Department of Economic Development, and Becca Hardin, executive vice president of economic development for The Valley Partnership, assisted DNT Georgia in its location.

DongNam Tech, based in Pochun, Korea, was founded in 1990 to provide floor mats to the automotive sector. With an emphasis on meeting the customer’s needs, DongNam Tech manufactures high-quality carpet and floor mats at a competitive price.

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