On Wednesday, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp announced that DAS Corp. (DAS), an automotive parts company, would be establishing a new manufacturing facility in Metter. The new facility will create 300 new jobs and generate more than $35 million in investment in Candler County.
“Suppliers for the Hyundai Metaplant resulted in over $2 billion in investment last fiscal year, alone, helping Georgia achieve a third straight year of record-breaking economic growth,” said Kemp. “Our logistics assets, including a reliable network of rail lines and highways, connect companies like DAS to key business partners in all corners of the state and to markets across the world, providing direct benefits to Georgia communities.”
DAS was established in Korea in 1987, and it specializes in designing and manufacturing seating systems, safety seating components, and seating structures. DAS is a major supplier for Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG) and Hyundai Motor Group.
“The strategic location near prominent cities like Savannah and Macon, facilitating convenient access, played a pivotal role in our decision-making process,” said Sean Kim, Chief Operating Officer at DAS. “Looking ahead to future expansion prospects, we deemed Metter to be an ideal location in anticipation of its role as a global electric vehicle production hub thanks to its close proximity to Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America.”
The new facility will be located in the Candler County Industrial Park in Metter, Georgia, and will primarily produce automotive seat structures. Operations at the facility are projected to begin in the latter half of 2024.
“For over a century, Georgia has fostered healthy industry practices, encouraged collaboration and innovation, and positioned the state as a leader in developing and harnessing emerging technologies for the evolving automotive and mobility industry,” a press release from Kemp’s office said. “As the market transitions to electric vehicles, Georgia has pursued the entire supply chain, creating more than $25 billion in investments and 30,000 jobs since 2018. In fiscal year 2023, job creation in the automotive industry increased by 324 percent when compared to FY21, and suppliers attracted by Georgia’s mobility original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) resulted in over $2 billion in investment across the state in FY23.”
