Hanwha looking to expandLondon may be home to another building supply manufacturing plant within the year and an autmotive parts plant soon after, the global president of an Asian manufacturer announced yesterday. Norman De Bono |
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Korean Consul General Jin-in Hong, Hanwha Global president Woong Jin Choi, Premier Dalton McGuinty and Hanwha Canada president Daniel Yu throw shovels of dirt to officially open the Hanwha plant on Innovation Dr. in London yesterday.
"Lightweight automotive parts products, we are looking at bringing this into the region as well as additional construction materials, such as flooring and window profiles," he said through an interpreter. "We will make decisions to bring these to London this year."
The manufacturer is planning a $40-million, 180,000-square-foot expansion, adding another 100 jobs, that could be up and running in about three years.
"London has close proximity to large cities Chicago, New York, Toronto and Detroit and we want to take full advantage of the strategic location. It is perfect for distributing into those cities."
The news came as a surprise to dignitaries and workers gathered in the 200,000-square-foot plant on Innovation Dr. It employs 73, but will add to its staffing.
"It is fantastic news," Mayor Anne Marie DeCicco-Best said. "They told me they would have a great announcement today. It is always good when they say that in front of a few hundred other people."
The London plant makes high-end artificial stone countertops, sold in North America at Rona and IKEA and exported to Europe.
"This is great news today and there will be more big news to come," added Peter White, chief executive of the London Economic Development Corp.
The plant was built with expansion in mind with a wall that can be easily removed and land for other plants. Each product line could add 100 to 200 jobs.
Hanwha has a tradition of building industrial "campuses" in other countries where they locate four or five plants and London may see a similar strategy, said plant manager John Cummings.
"They have put a lot of time and research into the feasability" of a London expansion, he said. "There are a number of Hanwha products selling very well worldwide."
The provincial government helped secure the plant with a $10-million loan through its Advanced Manufacturing Investment Strategy and also invested $11 million into developing Innovation Park, the industrial settting where it is located.
Ontario officials, including Premier Dalton McGuinty, were on hand for the opening.
"It is something other than the auto industry, so this is a breath of fresh air," said worker Erick Umbelina, who was unemployed for nine months after being laid off from Presstran in St. Thomas. "I am just glad the stars lined up for me with this job. It was perfect timing."
norman.debono@sunmedia.ca
HANWHA GROUP
Founded in 1952 under the name Korea Explosives Corp.
Founding chairperson Kim Jong-hee built the explosives company at the end of the Korean War.
One of the largest conglomerates in Korea, its main business is chemicals and explosives.
It has expanded into securities, insurance, home decor, telecommunications, retail, logistics, shipping, construction and resort industries.
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