“Made in Newnan” would be a fitting expression for Yamaha with the recent completion of its 3 millionth unit that recently rolled off the production line at the Newnan facility. That success is leading to plans to add another 150 jobs this year.
It was only a few years ago that Yamaha transferred its worldwide production of ATVs to the United States, and to its Newnan facility which opened a quarter-century ago.
Now Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation of America (YMMC) and Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. (YMUS) reached a manufacturing milestone recently with the completion of 3 million vehicles at the U.S. manufacturing facility in Newnan.
The 3 millionth unit was a Grizzly 700 ATV, one of the best selling utility 4×4 ATVs of all time, according to YMMC.
Among the vehicles produced at YMMC are ATVs, Side-by-Side (SxS) vehicles, golf cars and personal watercraft, the company said.
“Yamaha has invested more than $250 million into U.S. manufacturing over the past 15 years creating a world-class facility in Newnan,” said Mike Chrzanowski, executive vice president of YMMC. “Whether it be ATV or Side-by-Side vehicles, golf cars or personal watercraft, YMMC strives to maintain the highest production quality and environmental standards, while giving back to the community through comprehensive corporate social responsibility programs.”
Between the YMMC facility and YMUS corporate offices in Kennesaw, Yamaha now employs approximately 2,040 people in Georgia. That figure represents more than half of the 3,644 people the company directly employs in the United States. These numbers have grown significantly since 2011 when Yamaha employed approximately 1,300 and 2,800 people, respectively, YMMC said.
“Yamaha continues to add personnel and strengthen operations in Georgia as the Side-by-Side line expands with popular new models like the recently announced Wolverine R-Spec Side-by-Side,” said Mike Martinez, YMUS vice president of the company’s Kennesaw-based recreational vehicle operation. “Yamaha is planning for future growth as we continue to increase SxS production and prepare for additional models and increased customer demand in the future.”
The company said its increasing business and production impact in Georgia and throughout the United States have been felt in recent years.
YMMC alone employs nearly 1,500 people at the factory, an increase of nearly 400 jobs since the ATV production transfer began in 2011. Plans include adding another 150 jobs in 2015 to help support continued growth including increased Side-by-Side vehicle production, the company said.
