Korean ball valve manufacturer to locate new plant in Atlanta
ATLANTA, May 18, 2009 — Seoul, Korea-based KMC Group announced today that it plans to locate a new facility in Atlanta, creating 60 jobs and investing $5 million.
'We are pleased that KMC Group will join the strong contingent of international companies who make their home in Georgia,' said Ken Stewart, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development. 'One-third of our project announcements last year were by international companies drawn to Georgia by our skilled workforce, strong transportation network and business-friendly environment.'
KMC Group manufactures ball valves for use in city gas lines, oil fields, chemical plants and offshore platforms. The new facility, KMC Atlanta, Inc., will be located on Fulton Industrial Boulevard. This will be the first U.S. manufacturing facility for KMC, which also has plants in Korea and China. The company previously sold its products through a distributor but now will be able to connect directly with customers.
'KMC is pleased to supply high quality ball valves to U.S. market under the KMC brand,' said CH. M. Jung, chairman of KMC Group. 'We are ready to manufacture and deliver our quality products with more competitive prices and quicker delivery. Now our U.S. customers will receive KMC products faster and easier.'
'More than 40 percent of new companies coming to Atlanta are international,' said Hans Gant, senior vice president of economic development for the Metro Atlanta Chamber. 'We have the talent, we have the access to the marketplace through our airport and we are strengthening Atlanta's position as a hub for global companies. There are currently more than 2,000 international businesses in metro Atlanta, and that number continues to grow with companies like KMC.'
Yoonie Kim, project manager for GDEcD, assisted the company in its location.
About the company
KMC Group, founded in Seoul, Korea in 1984, produces high-quality ball valves that are safe, efficient and economical. The company places a premium on quality control and is recognized for its advanced technologies. KMC has obtained important certifications such as API 6D, ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 to meet its customers' needs, and has been exporting various kinds of ball valves to over 50 countries in the world.
The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) is the state's sales and marketing arm, the lead agency for attracting new business investment, encouraging the expansion of existing industry and small businesses, locating new markets for Georgia products, attracting tourists to Georgia, and promoting the state as a location for film, video and music projects, as well as planning and mobilizing state resources for economic development. For more information, visit www.georgia.org.