Monday, December 17, 2007
Mando to expand
Having exceeded its own expectations, Mando America Corporation officials announced Tuesday that the company will be making a bigger impact on the Opelika economy.
September 19, 2007
Having exceeded its own expectations, Mando America Corporation officials announced Tuesday that the company will be making a bigger impact on the Opelika economy.
Officials said the facility at the Northeast Industrial Park would expand its production lines marking an additional investment of $21 million and the creation of 77 additional new jobs.
Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller said Mando’s hiring phase would ratchet up over the next few months giving those seeking better pay and specialized skills an opportunity to work for an auto giant.
In 2003, when the company announced its decision to build a 150,000-square-foot facility in Opelika, the initial investment was $30 million and jobs totaled 150. The facility was complete in 2004 and shortly after, company officials announced further expansion of an additional 175,000 square-feet as well as an additional $35 million investment. With Tuesday’s
announcement, Mando’s total investment is $86 million and total employment over the next three years will exceed 500.
Mando’s Opelika operations produce brake corner modules, suspension modules and steering systems to support its customer base, which includes Hyundai Motor Manufacturing of Alabama.
Fuller credited Mando CEO Sang-Soo Oh, Mando President Tae Kwak, Strategic Planning Manager James Won, Human Resources Director Jerry Rolison, the Opelika Industrial Development Authority (OIDA) Board and Opelika’s Economic Development Department for helping create high paying jobs for area residents.
Rolison said he was optimistic that Mando would play a significant role in the automotive needs of Hyundai, Kia and General Motors. OIDA Chairman Ronnie Wilson, OIDA Vice-Chair David Scott and OIDA member Ronnie Ware agreed.
In a statement, Gov. Bob Riley said, “Mando is an excellent corporate citizen and Alabama is proud to have a company of its caliber in our state … we appreciate the jobs and investment that Mando is making in Alabama.”
Mando Corporation (http://www.mando.com), headquartered in Korea, is one of the leading automotive parts manufacturers in the world specializing in internationally competitive chassis components and systems.
“The greatest testament to an area’s business climate is the expansions that are made by existing industry,” Economic Development Director Al Cook said. “This additional capital investment by Mando further solidifies their presence in our community, and we are very appreciative of the confidence they have shown and continue to show in our area.”