By Tara Woodin

Georgia’s exceptional business-friendly environment has been widely recognized as major companies continue to flock to metro Atlanta and around the state in droves. Companies of all sizes establish headquarters, distribution centers, customer service operations and more. Recently, ten companies have announced their relocation, expansion or launch in metro Atlanta and beyond in the coming years. Here are ten of the recent significant business moves to the area and its environs.

Meissner Corporation

Meissner Corporation, a bioprocessing company specializing in advanced microfiltration and therapeutic manufacturing systems, will invest almost $250 million in a new facility in Athens-Clarke County, creating more than 1,700 jobs over the next eight years. Meissner develops, manufactures, supplies and services products and systems for the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industries. Its products have been critical in the development and distribution of lifesaving therapeutics and vaccines for COVID-19. The new facility will more than double the company’s manufacturing footprint in the U.S. and will include state-of-the-art cleanroom facilities, laboratories, research and development and office spaces. Operations are expected to begin in early 2026, with the company hiring for a broad range of roles, including technicians, scientists and engineers, as well as IT and administrative positions. The company plans to work with the University System of Georgia and the Technical College System of Georgia to explore potential internship and other collaboration opportunities through relevant programs of study.

Hanwha Advanced Materials Georgia, Inc.

Hanwha Advanced Materials Georgia, Inc. (HAGA), a subsidiary of Hanwha Group, has announced plans to construct a new manufacturing facility in Cartersville. HAGA will invest an estimated $147 million and create over 160 jobs as it becomes the only United States-based company to manufacture solar encapsulants. The plant, which will be located at Highland 75 Corporate/Industrial Park, a Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development (GRAD) certified site, will supply Qcells’ solar panel factory, which itself is expanding with a $1.7 billion investment in Georgia. Hanwha’s facility is expected to come online in the summer of 2024 and will be hiring for a variety of positions, including engineers and line operators. The move underscores a growing trend of U.S. solar panel makers and suppliers that are focusing on domestic production amid concerns over supply chain disruptions, particularly in Asia.

Sam’s Club

Sam’s Club will create 600 new jobs and invest more than $142 million in a new fulfillment center in Douglas County. The new facility is part of the company’s strategy to transform its entire supply chain through strategic expansion and cutting-edge automation; it will enhance Sam’s Club’s supply chain capabilities in the southeastern part of the country and allow the company to deliver to its members with speed, providing an overall great experience. Sam’s Club’s investment is critical to Douglas County and Georgia, which has reliable infrastructure that enables companies to reach markets across the state, nation and world, bringing opportunities to hardworking Georgians in every corner of the state. The fulfillment center will be located at 1000 Douglas Hill Road in Lithia Springs.

SK Battery America

SK Battery America (SKBA), a subsidiary of South Korean conglomerate SK Group, will open a regional IT hub facility in Roswell, creating 200 high-tech jobs and investing approximately $19 million over the next few years. The facility will be an integrated IT management center serving the company’s battery manufacturing facilities across the United States. Operations are expected to begin in January 2024, and the company will be hiring IT experts for battery manufacturing execution systems development and operations, as well as data analysts. Additionally, SKBA is investing $2.6 billion in two lithium-ion battery manufacturing facilities in Jackson County to support electric vehicles such as the Ford F-150 Lightning and Volkswagen ID.4. The SKBA facility is one of SK Group’s three major investments in the State of Georgia. The move will also help SKBA build and operate an advanced manufacturing system in accordance with the further expansion of battery production bases in the United States.

Seohan Auto

Seohan Auto Georgia, an automotive parts developer and manufacturer, is set to create at least 180 jobs and invest more than $72 million in a new manufacturing facility in Liberty County. The new facility, which will produce h/shafts, axles and brake systems for original equipment manufacturers, including Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America, is scheduled to begin production in late 2024; in fact, Seohan Auto Georgia Corporation is a Tier-1 automotive parts supplier for Hyundai Motor Group America. The location of the facility will be at the Dunwoody Court Site in the Tradeport East Business Center, a Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development (GRAD) certified site. Since 2020, over 35 EV-related projects have been announced, with over $21 billion in investment and 27,800 jobs in Georgia. This has positioned Georgia as a hub for the electric mobility industry, with the state’s assets making it successful for the automotive industry. Seohan Auto Georgia is a subsidiary of Korea Movenex, which possesses advanced technology and experience in the automotive parts industry.

PHA

PHA, a global auto parts manufacturer and a Tier-1 supplier for Hyundai Motor Group, is set to create 402 new jobs and invest more than $67 million in a new facility in Chatham County. The new manufacturing facility will produce door modules, tailgate latches and hood latches for OEMs, including Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America. The facility is expected to start operations in 2024 and will be located at the Savannah Chatham Manufacturing Center, a Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development (GRAD) certified site. PHA is a Korea-based company with locations throughout the world, including multiple facilities within the United States. Hyundai and its suppliers also are expected to invest over $1 billion in other locations around the state.

Sewon America

Sewon America, a subsidiary of Sewon Precision Industry Co. in Korea, plans to invest $300 million and create 740 new jobs in Rincon, making it the biggest private investment in the city’s history. The new manufacturing facility will produce EV body parts for original equipment manufacturers, including Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America, and will be operational beginning in 2025. This announcement fulfills the commitment to create jobs and investment in all four of the Savannah Harbor Interstate-16 Joint Development Authority (JDA) counties resulting from the Hyundai Metaplant location in Bryan County, the state’s largest economic development project. It also surpasses the initial estimates, with suppliers for the Metaplant committing more than $1.8 billion in investment. The Rincon facility is expected to employ 1,600 people and will be located at the Grande View Industrial Park.

G&A Partners

G&A Partners, a professional employer organization (PEO) and human resources outsourcing (HRO) provider, is expanding its presence in the Southeast region of the U.S. The firm will increase its operations in Georgia, North Carolina and Southern Florida, bringing its high-quality client experience and access to top-tier Cigna plans to small and mid-sized businesses in Atlanta, Miami, Raleigh and Charlotte. By giving small businesses access to high-quality plans, G&A can help them offer competitive benefits packages at affordable prices, rivaling larger companies and helping them attract and retain top talent in today’s competitive job market. G&A’s expansion began in Tennessee with the acquisition of XMI in early 2021 and continued with the provision of PEO services in the Tampa region.

Tim Hortons

Tim Hortons, a Canadian coffee and breakfast chain, is set to debut in Atlanta. The specific location in downtown Atlanta has not yet been disclosed, but the announcement of its opening marks the first Tim Hortons establishment in the city. Tim Hortons is also reportedly close to opening its first location in Columbus, and a second location is expected to open soon in Jonesboro. Last year, the chain announced its expansion plans into Georgia, with more than a dozen locations planned around the state. The company’s full ambition is to have 30 restaurants in Georgia by 2027. Tim Hortons has been a popular coffee chain in Canada since its founding in 1964 and has since expanded into the United States, the United Arab Emirates and other countries.

Seoyon E-HWA

Seoyon E-HWA, a global auto parts manufacturer, will establish a new manufacturing facility in Chatham County, investing almost $76 million and creating 740 jobs. The new facility, located at the Savannah Chatham Manufacturing Center, is expected to produce automotive interior parts, such as door trims, headlining and tailgate trims. Production will begin in October 2024. The company already operates a location in LaGrange, which supports 630 full-time jobs. More than two-thirds of the new jobs will be permanent positions in human resources, development, quality and production personnel. Seoyon E-HWA supplies door trim, headlining, seats, C/PAD, bumpers and other parts to various car manufacturers, including Hyundai Motor Group, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Ford, Volkswagen and more. The company aims to contribute to making Savannah a central city for automobile development and production. The project is part of Georgia’s plan to become the e-mobility capital of the nation, with over 35 EV-related projects announced since 2020.