Newnan’s role in the manufacture of Yamaha ATVs (all-terrain vehicles) just got a lot bigger. The Coweta County facility will play a major role in Yahama’s move to transfer the production of the company’s worldwide manufacture of ATVs to the United States.
Yamaha’s best selling all-terrain-vehicles (ATVs), the Grizzly 700 FI 4×4 and Grizzly 550 FI 4×4, feature design and performance upgrades for 2012, according to Yamaha. Both machines are now being assembled in the U.S. for worldwide distribution out of Yamaha’s Newnan factory, company spokesperson Van Holmes said June 8. The Newnan facility currently employs 1,100.
The recent announcement on the relocation of most of the Yamaha’s ATV production to the United States was issued by Yamaha Motor Corp. (YMUS) and Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corp. (YMMC).
Holmes said the start of new ATV production in Newnan is a major step forward in the companies’ long-term strategy to transfer the majority of Yamaha’s worldwide ATV manufacturing to the United States. When complete, the production transfer could add 200 or more American jobs at Yamaha’s U.S. factory as well as additional jobs at the 125 North American parts supplier companies.
Yamaha’s ATV production transfer, first announced in early 2010, is a long-term strategy that will culminate in bringing the great majority of Yamaha’s worldwide ATV manufacturing to YMMC by 2013, Holmes said, adding that the company has invested more than $250 million into the factory over the past 10 years to create a state-of-the-art facility and ensuring top quality products are built in a safe and environmentally responsible manner.
“Yamaha has been in Newnan for more than 20 years, and we feel very lucky to have such a fine, world-renowned company in our area,” said Newnan Mayor Keith Brady. “On behalf of the City of Newnan, I would like to congratulate Yamaha on its ATV production transfer and wish them continued success for the many products they produce.”
Holmes said the production transfer ensures that Yamaha maintains its loyal workforce in Newnan and will result in the hiring of more U.S. workers in the coming years. There are 90 positions at YMMC that are directly related to this year’s new production. The company currently estimates adding up to 200 additional jobs over the next three to five years based on other planned ATV model transfers to YMMC and market forecasts; however, the transfer has the potential to add as many as 800 to 1,000 jobs depending on market conditions, said Holmes.
The Newnan factory alone spends more than $170 million annually with 137 worldwide suppliers, of which 125 are also based in North America.
“Yamaha’s factory in Newnan is state-of-the-art with more than 20 years experience making a variety of Yamaha products and more than 10 years of producing top quality ATVs,” said Mike Chrzanowski, senior vice president of operations and engineering services at YMMC. “We here at YMMC are extremely excited about this production transfer to the U.S. Above all, it is the YMMC employees and their long-standing dedication to the company, their own quality of work, and their communities that has made this transition possible. With their support, Yamaha is confident we’ll have a smooth transition this summer and over the next few years.”
As one of the largest motorsports companies in the world, Yamaha employs approximately 2,800 Americans and supporting more than 30,000 additional jobs through its manufacturing facilities, corporate offices, field staff, distribution centers, suppliers and dealer partners, Holmes said. Headquartered in Cypress, Calif., Yamaha has corporate offices, regional offices, factories and distribution centers in nine states including Georgia, California, Wisconsin, Texas, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Illinois, New Jersey and Washington.
