JS Link America, Inc., the United States division of a South Korean biotech company, announced it would build a new magnet factory in Columbus, Georgia, investing $223 million to do so. In a September 3 press release, the company said the expansion will create 520 new jobs in western Georgia.
The 130,000-square-foot factory is expected to begin operations in late 2027, with an estimated capacity of 3,000 tons of neodymium permanent magnets per year. Those magnets will then go on to be used in a variety of applications, the company says, including:
- Automobiles
- Wind turbines
- Elevators
- Home appliances
- The medical industry
- Robotics
- Data centers
- Consumer electronics
- And defense systems.
The new factory is similar but notably larger than the one JS Link is building closer to home: The company’s South Korean division will soon complete construction of another permanent magnet factory in Yesan, Korea, set to begin operating this month with an annual capacity of 1,000 tons.
What people are saying
“From day one, Georgia’s economic development team, local community leadership in Columbus, and Georgia Power all welcomed JS Link with a pro-business approach. Georgia’s universities with their engineering programs also provide ready-made labor force for JS Link America,” said Mr. Jun Y. Lee, JS Link America Inc.’s CEO. “JS Link plans to be a part of a value chain focused entirely on Western nations to meet the growing demand for permanent magnets sourced from strategic allies such as Korea. This new chain will cover the entire process, from the procurement of essential rare-earth materials to the final manufacturing of the magnets.”
“JS Link America strengthens Georgia’s role in securing the U.S. supply chain in industries such as aerospace, mobility, and energy,” said Georgia Governor Brian Kemp. “We are excited for the continued growth of manufacturing in west Georgia, and congratulations to Columbus-Muscogee County for this opportunity.”
“We are excited to welcome JS Link America to Columbus, Georgia,” said Columbus Mayor Skip Henderson. “These high-quality career paths will not only benefit the workforce here in Columbus, but throughout the entire region. Columbus, through the Muscogee County School District, Columbus Technical College, and Columbus State University, remains committed to preparing a workforce for today’s and tomorrow’s high-tech environment.”
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