Deal, Hunan governor mark SANY progress

Equipment manufacturer expects to create more than 200 jobs in Peachtree City

Gov. Nathan Deal today joined with Governor Qiang Zhou of China’s Hunan Province, SANY Group chairman Wengen Liang and other dignitaries to celebrate the first phase completion of SANY America’s North American assembly plant in Peachtree City. SANY America is a division of SANY Group Co. Ltd., which is headquartered in the Hunan Province of China and is the largest concrete-pumping equipment company in China. Deal was on hand to officially unveil a fully-assembled SANY Global Rough Terrain (RT) Crane, which is the machinery that will eventually be assembled at the SANY America Peachtree City plant.

“SANY America’s decision to locate in Georgia in 2007 is a great example of the steps we take to position our state as a strategic home for international companies seeking foreign direct investment opportunities in the United States,” said Deal. “We take great care in developing and fostering global relationships, and the result is mutually beneficial outcomes for both Georgia and international companies aiming to expand around the world. We are confident that our highly skilled workforce and unique global access will continue to help us attract competitive industries to Georgia.”

The SANY America Peachtree City location is one of only four investments the company has made outside of China. Other international locations include sites in Brazil, Germany and India. The end of phase one construction marks the completion of the company’s main infrastructure at its Peachtree City plant. The company currently has 108 employees and expects to at least double its workforce by the end of 2012. To date, SANY America has made a $60 million investment through the completion of phase one of the 420,000-square-foot facility.

“The completion of SANY America’s facility signifies a new milestone in SANY’s globalization initiative. This will bring SANY’s philosophy of Quality Changes for the World to the next level,” said Fugui Zhou, chairman of SANY America, Inc. “The new facility will enable the company to provide the North American market and the other global customers with superior products and services.”

The company’s Peachtree City facility will house sales, service, assembly, testing and distribution, as well as research and development operations in addition to serving as the corporate headquarters for SANY America, Inc. The plant will eventually assemble five different concrete manufacturing machines once fully operational.

"We appreciate the significant investment that SANY Corporation has made and will continue to make in Peachtree City and the state of Georgia," said Peachtree City Mayor Don Haddix. "We look forward to working with SANY as a corporate partner as it grows and prospers in the international community that makes up our industrial park."

Georgia has a long history of doing business internationally and established an office in Beijing in 2008 to develop the relationships necessary to bring Chinese business to Georgia. China is Georgia’s second-largest export destination market, with nearly $2.4 billion in exports in 2010. Among Georgia’s top 10 export destinations, China ranked in the top three countries where Georgia saw the largest increase in exports, increasing by 35 percent since 2009. Georgia imports from China totaled $13.9 billion in 2010, which account for 32 percent of total Georgia imports. Over the last five years, exports from the Port of Savannah to China have grown 31 percent. In 2010, the Port of Savannah became the biggest port for exports to China and handled 47 percent of the total Mid- and South Atlantic trade with China.

“SANY America is the first and still remains the largest Chinese investment of its size in Georgia,” said Sam A. Williams, president of the Metro Atlanta Chamber. “SANY’s choice to build its North American headquarters and manufacturing center here demonstrates metro Atlanta’s attractiveness to international companies and Georgia’s commitment to strengthen our ties with China.”

In addition to a well-established trade relationship, Georgia also consistently works to foster a cultural and educational exchange with China. The state welcomes incoming delegations from China at least twice a month. And for the first time, in 2010 Georgia’s tourism division successfully launched in-language tourism products targeting the four top Chinese tour operators to promote Georgia tourism in China. Georgia’s academic institutions also have strong ties to China, including the Asia Council of the University System of Georgia and the Georgia Tech-Shanghai Initiative, which both promote study abroad and other educational exchange opportunities for students here and in China.

Stella Xu, Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) manager for China initiatives, assisted the company with this project.