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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Toyo Tire Plans $210 Million Expansion in Bartow County, Georgia

08/12/2013
Toyo Tire plans to expand its Bartow County, Georgia, facility by 475,000 square feet, adding up to 470 new jobs over the next few years as part of its $210 million investment.

The firm’s Bartow County facility was its first U.S. consumer tire production operation. The 900,000-square-foot plant has been in operation since 2006, and includes a manufacturing facility and warehouse that serve its customers throughout the country. The company expanded by another 820,000 square feet in 2008, growing its workforce to 700 people. Toyo announced a further 200-job expansion in 2010, and, with the capacity enabled by the bonding, the company’s employment could grow to 1,340 workers by 2020.

Georgia Quick Start, the state’s workforce development program, has played an integral part in Toyo’s success, Gov. Nathan Deal’s Office said. Also, Bartow County is a Georgia Certified Work Ready Community, a designation showing the county has the skilled workforce needed to meet the needs of business and the educational foundation to build a supply of workers.

“The pro-business environment and cooperation from the State of Georgia and Bartow County have exceeded our expectations. Our start-up and growth have proceeded more quickly than planned,” said Jim Hawk, president of Toyo Tire North America Manufacturing. “Georgia Quick Start continues to be a significant part of our success. With the continuation of support from the Bartow County Joint Development Authority, we will be in a position to continue our growth.”

“Throughout the economic crisis our community has gone through, it was remarkable to me that Toyo held their employment levels steady,” said Bartow County Sole Commissioner Clarence Brown. “We’ve always been grateful for Toyo’s decision to locate here, but during times like these the jobs they have provided to our citizens are even more meaningful. Everyone is so happy that they have the chance to grow again, but, for me, I’m most appreciative of the jobs.” The company can also utilize the Bartow County’s recently expanded bonding capacity.

“Georgia’s business advantages are custom-made for aggressive automotive companies like Toyo Tire,” said Chris Cummiskey, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development. “Our logistics system enables companies to streamline distribution, expedite shipments and reduce supply chain costs, and we can deliver a highly trained workforce thanks to the Quick Start program.”

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