Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America recently cut the ribbon to its new Innovation Center at the Technology Square in Midtown Atlanta, Georgia.
Serving as an extension of the Design Engineering Center located in Peachtree City, Georgia, this new R&D center is expected to become an incubator for next-generation automotive infotainment technologies.
The strategic location will provide Panasonic with the opportunity to draw from the advanced research of America's largest engineering college. Company leaders are partnering with the state, city and Metro Atlanta Chamber to create approximately 100 new jobs and offer at least 15 co-op positions a year to Georgia Tech students.
In addition, the company aims to develop a strong relationship with Georgia Tech's Enterprise Innovation Institute, the school's primary business outreach organization. The Institute provides unique services to improve the competitiveness of businesses in Georgia, by serving as the link between industry and Georgia Tech resources, including world-class research, state-of-the-art facilities and internationally-recognized students and faculty.
"We are excited about the opportunity to tap into the engineering talent of one of the fastest growing high-technology areas in the nation," said Tom Gebhardt, President of Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America.
Currently, there are 13,000 technology companies employing nearly 200,000 technology workers in Atlanta. The city was recently recognized among the top 10 of major U.S. tech markets, underscoring the tech sector's role as an economic development engine. Other R&D centers in metro Atlanta that have created jobs in the last few years include Newell Rubbermaid, Samsung, Exide Technologies, Novelis and SANY.
Learn more about Georgia's technology industry here.