| Sam Dong expands to Hawkins County |
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ROGERSVILLE — Officials of Sam Dong Company Limited of South Korea, announced Tuesday the firm has acquired and will be moving into the former Assured Castings facility, with the plant scheduled to open early next year.
The firm will retrofit the plant, previously used to manufacture aluminum castings, to produce specialty magnet wire products used in the electrical transformer and motor and generator industries. Sam Dong has been a producer of Magnet Wire in South Korea for 30 years and exports their products globally. “On behalf of the Hawkins County Industrial Board we warmly welcome our newest industry, Sam Dong, into our community and look forward to a long-lasting partnership in growth and opportunity for Hawkins County,” Lynn Lawson, Hawkins County Industrial Developer said. The building covers 80,000 square feet and is located on a 10 acre tract of land in the Rogersville Industrial Park. Modifications to the building and installation of equipment will begin immediately. Company officials say the plant will initially employ between 25 and 50 individuals, with an employment of up to 100 when it is in full production. Ee Joo Lee, Chairman of Sam Dong, said the company is very excited about this strategic opportunity for growth in North America. Leon Molloy, President of the North American entity, said Rogersville is the ideal location for this new facility. “From this location the North American market and some export opportunities can be very effectively served,” Molloy noted. Company officials thanked the town of Rogersville, the Hawkins County Industrial Development Board, the Rogersville/Hawkins County Chamber of Commerce, the Northeast Tennessee Valley Region Industrial Development Association, the Holston Electric Co-operative, and the State of Tennessee for their help and support to this new project. “Sam Dong looks forward to being part of the industrial community of Hawkins County and will move very quickly to convert the factory to this new product,” Molloy said. According to Lawson, Lee and Molloy visited the area two times in the past and were very pleased with the site and the amenities afforded to them in Rogersville and the surrounding area. The industrial developer also noted “many individuals, the local existing industries, school systems and banking institutions” helped provide information that lead to the decision to come to Rogersville. “When you are from Korea, or any foreign country, and want to open a facility in the United States, the options are limitless as to where you can locate. The Hawkins County Industrial Board is proud that they decided to locate here,” Lawson said. The company was founded in 1977 as Sam Dong Metal Company Limited and re-established as Sam Dong Company Limited in 1990. The company currently operates two plants, both in South Korea, according to the Web site, www.samdongkorea.com
By Bill Grubb |
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