Area Development
Japan-based Calpis America Inc. will invest $20 million to open its US headquarters and biotech facility, where it will manufacture a livestock fermentation product, in Peachtree City, Georgia.

Calpis will construct a facility in Peachtree City Industrial Park to produce its direct-fed microbial product, CALSPORIN animal feed ingredients, which is used widely in the livestock industry to supply a naturally occurring microorganism. The company plans to create 42 jobs in its first year of operations.

“U.S. consumers have for many years given us business opportunities and ideas to improve our products,” said president of Calpis America Inc. Masato Yoshida. “Not only is the U.S. the world’s biggest supplier of meat products, it also has a great potential to further develop the industry both in volume and quality. Locating this plant in Georgia will enable us to better serve the industry and to utilize the abundant workforce. Peachtree City provides us good access to our users as well as transportation convenience both domestically and internationally.”

“As the No. 1 poultry-producing state in the nation, Georgia is the ideal place for Calpis to expand in the United States,” said Gov Nathan Deal. “International firms such as Calpis find success here not only because Georgia is one of the top markets for its products, but because the state is a hub for fast, efficient outreach to other markets in North and South America. The company’s strategic decision to locate here moves us closer to becoming the best place in the nation in which to do business.”

Operations are anticipated to begin in April 2014. Georgia Quick Start, the state’s customized workforce training program, will assist the company with its training needs. The Georgia Department of Economic Development partnered with the Fayette County Development Authority to manage this project.

"We are excited to welcome another Japanese company to Fayette County," said Fayette County Development Authority Chair Randy Hayes. "Matt Forshee and his team do a great job promoting Peachtree City as the location in metro Atlanta for internationally based companies to begin their U.S. operations. Our proximity to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and our unique quality of life are going to help Calpis get off to a great start here in Georgia."