Gov. Nathan Deal announced that Inalfa Roof Systems, a leading global supplier of vehicle roofing systems, will open a manufacturing plant in Cherokee County. The plant represents a $17.1 million investment and 300 jobs for Georgians.
“Inalfa joins the dynamic auto industry Georgia has cultivated for more than 100 years,” said Deal. “Our central location in the Southeast, deep workforce resources and logistics infrastructure have attracted well over 300 companies and continue to give the state a competitive advantage in this manufacturing sector.”
Inalfa Roof Systems is a leading supplier of sunroofs and open roofing systems for automotive manufacturers such as Hyundai Kia, Ford, General Motors, Volvo, Chrysler Group and BMW Group. The facility, strategically located off I-75 at Cherokee 75 Corporate Park, is in close proximity to automotive manufacturers located throughout the Southeast.
“After a four-year search for a location in the South, we couldn’t be more pleased to find our ideal site in Cherokee County,” said vice president of North American Operations for Inalfa Roof Systems Danny Colaris. “The state and local economic development teams, as well as Georgia Power, have all been extremely helpful in introducing us to this strategic location and the advantages of doing business in Georgia.”
This facility will be the fourth in the United States and the first in the Southeast for Inalfa, which has its global headquarters based in Venray, The Netherlands, and a global workforce of 3,000 employees. Inalfa’s North American headquarters is located in Michigan, and it operates a total of four plants in Michigan and Mexico. Worldwide, Inalfa Roof Systems also has facilities in Slovakia, South Korea, China, Brazil and Japan, and is currently also expanding its footprint in Poland.
Building plans and preparation for construction for the Cherokee County facility have begun, and the plant is projected to begin operating in January 2014. The new Inalfa facility in Georgia will provide a wide range of job opportunities, including engineering, operations and supply chain, purchasing and manufacturing associates. Hiring for these positions will begin in fourth quarter this year and continue through second quarter 2015 until all lines are installed and the plant is fully operational.
“We are excited to have Inalfa Roof Systems as our first business to locate in the Cherokee 75 Corporate Park,” said chairman of the Cherokee Office of Economic Development Marshall Day. “The teamwork displayed in this project is remarkable, and we thank our partners at CBRE, Rooker, GDEcD and Georgia Power as well as our leadership and staff for their work in making this vision a reality. The new investment and jobs created will have a significant impact on Cherokee and the northwest Atlanta region.”
Wylly Harrison is the project manager for the Georgia Department of Economic Development, which partnered with the Cherokee Office of Economic Development in the project location.
“Investment by international companies creates jobs and contributes to the state’s economy,” said Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development Chris Cummiskey. “As we continue to market Georgia around the world, the commitment made by top-notch businesses like Inalfa helps other investors understand how we can help them become successful in the U.S. market.”
About Inalfa Roof Systems
Inalfa Roof Systems is one of the world's largest providers of vehicle roof systems. Inalfa designs, develops and manufactures sunroofs and open-roof systems for the automotive customers, such as BMW Group, Daimler, Chrysler Group, Ford, General Motors, Volkswagen, Audi, Volvo, Citroen, Chery, Geely, Hyundai Kia, Land Rover, Renault, Nissan and many others. Inalfa Roof Systems is a reliable engineering and assembly partner. Inalfa Roof Systems' global footprint helps to leverage its relationships with both customers and its suppliers. Inalfa Roof Systems stands for innovation, technological competence and quality. Due to a global presence Inalfa is always in close proximity to its customers' production lines. www.inalfa-roofsystems.com