TALLASSEE — Hanil USA will expand its facility, a move that will add 60 new jobs to the existing Tallassee location.
It will be the third expansion for the company since coming to Tallassee Corporate Park in 2005. Hanil USA, a subsidary of TI Automotive, supplies brake, fuel and power steering tubes for vehicles at Hyundai Manufacturing Alabama in Montgomery.
Tony Kwon, president of Hanil USA and the company in Korea, discussed the hospitality of Tallassee and Elmore County at the groundbreaking on Monday. His company was presented both the state flag and state seal as part of the ceremony.
“This is another example in a long line of international expansions in Alabama,” said Jim Byard, director of the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs. “It shows that Alabama has a great business climate and a tremendous workforce.”
During its seven-year existence, Hanil USA has invested about $23.5 million and previously expanded its facility in 2008 and 2010, rising from 30 employees to 300. Kwon said a fourth expansion is a possibility for the near future.
The current expansion calls for an investment of about $3 million and will add 35,000 square feet of space to the west side of the facility.
Rick Dorley, chairman for the Tallassee Industrial Development Board, said private investors have helped fund the project and local contractors will be used for the work.
“It says a lot about the workforce for them to be willing to stay here,” Dorley said. “It says a lot about teamwork and their willingness to invest.”
Dorley said training and hiring procedures have already started for some of the newly created positions.
After the ceremony, local officials such as Mayor George McCain were given a tour of the plant and shown the expansion site.
McCain personally thanked everyone involved with Hanil USA for locating in the city.
“When jobs are provided here, it’s a positive for the economic development of the area,” McCain said.