The company has invested more than $250 million into the factory over the past 10 years. When complete, the production transfer could add 200 or more American jobs at Yamaha's U.S. factory as well as additional jobs at the 125 North American parts supplier companies. The specific ATV models will be announced on June 8 as part of Yamaha's worldwide unveiling of select 2012 model year products.
The company currently estimates adding up to 200 additional jobs over the next three to five years based on other planned ATV model transfers to YMMC and market forecasts. However, the transfer reportedly has the potential to add as many as 800 to 1,000 jobs depending on market conditions. The factory currently employs more than 1,100 people in Newnan.
Overall, Yamaha has corporate offices, regional offices, factories and distribution centers in nine states including Georgia, California, Wisconsin, Texas, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Illinois, New Jersey and Washington. The Newnan factory alone spends more than $170 million annually with 137 worldwide suppliers – 125 of which are also based in North America.
"This production transfer shows Yamaha's commitment to this facility and the U.S. motorsports market – the world's largest ATV market," said Henio Arcangeli Jr., Yamaha Motorsports President. "Manufacturing ATVs in Georgia will allow Yamaha to respond more quickly to its customers' demands while streamlining its supply chain and distribution processes. It is a strategic move that will benefit the company, employees, dealer partners and customers as well as the local Newnan community and more than 100 U.S. parts supplier businesses."
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