Germany-based Ritz Instrument Transformers plans to expand the company's product line with a $1 million dollar investment at its Hart County, Georgia, manufacturing plant.

"Georgia continues to appeal to international manufacturers such as Ritz who are looking to expand their U.S. footprint," said Chris Cummiskey, Economic Development Commissioner. "Our ongoing focus on workforce development, providing a business-friendly environment, and Georgia's logistics network make our state a welcoming location for growing industry."

Ritz will install production of new medium-voltage instrument transformers and an epoxy resin mixing plant in its Hart County factory, located on Interstate I-85, which also serves as its North American corporate and sales headquarters. Plant expansion will create about 50 new jobs.

"With the support of county and Georgia state officials, Ritz has become firmly rooted in Hart County. The availability of a motivated and trainable workforce has allowed us to start up manufacturing non-traditional Ritz products and to quickly carve out a respectable market share," said Dave Dearlove, CEO of Ritz USA. "We anticipate that organic growth in the types of products we currently manufacture will create an even larger demand for workforce expansion, and the Work Ready program will help us locate the people we need."

"This expansion represents a significant commitment by Ritz in Hart County and we are excited by the positive impact these job opportunities have for our local area citizens," said Douglas Cleveland, Chairman of Hart County Industrial Building Authority.

While the firm received $200,000 in state economic development funds to assist with site preparation to build its manufacturing plant in the state, details about any incentive offered for the latest expansion and job creation were not immediately available.