All Yamaha ATV and SxS Production Moved to U.S.

From this point on every Yamaha ATV Side-by-Side will be produced in its Newnan, Ga. facility. Yamaha announced that its vehicle production transfer from overseas to the United States was complete at a dealer event on June 11 in Las Vegas. The move adds hundreds of jobs to the Newnan facility.

Yamaha also announced that it has opened a second dedicated assembly plant in Newnan for the production of future SxS products, including the new Viking, an all-new vehicle that sets a new standard in the three-person multi-purpose SxS segment.

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Since the ATV production transfer strategy was first announced in 2010, Yamaha has moved production of all of its models like the Grizzly 700 FI and most recently the YFZ450R. All of these ATVs, along with all of Yamaha’s SxS vehicles, are now produced exclusively at YMMC for worldwide distribution.

Already the largest employer in Newnan, Yamaha is poised to continue growing in Georgia and will add another 100 jobs to support Viking production in Plant 2 this year. Another 300 jobs could be added over the next three to five years based on forecasts. The advanced manufacturing facility covers more than 850,000 square feet and includes the latest technology, equipment and procedures in motorsports manufacturing.

“Yamaha continues to ramp up U.S. production thanks to the ATV production transfer, the introduction of all-new products like the Viking, and improving market conditions,” says Mike Martinez, vice president of Yamaha’s ATV/SxS group. “Yamaha is one of the largest motorsports companies in the world, and it is exciting to see the company’s increased emphasis on U.S. manufacturing. The U.S. is the world’s largest ATV and SxS market with more than 70 percent of global sales. It makes great business sense for Yamaha to manufacture these products right here in the U.S. for worldwide distribution.”

Yamaha employs more than 1,250 people in Newnan – up from 1,100 since the ATV production transfer began in 2011. In total, Yamaha has added approximately 200 jobs in Georgia between its factory in Newnan and Yamaha’s corporate offices in Kennesaw.

“The Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation of America is a world-class facility with the highest standards and certifications for quality, environmental manufacturing and safety,” says Mike Chrzanowski, senior vice president of operations and engineering services at YMMC. “Yamaha has invested more than $250 million over the past decade to support our expansion and our employees – who are some of the best in the world – and to make our U.S. factory the center of Yamaha’s worldwide ATV and SxS vehicle production.”

“I am happy to hear Yamaha will be expanding their production in Georgia’s Third Congressional District,” says Congressman Lynn Westmoreland. “News like this reminds us what a great state Georgia is for businesses. Yamaha has been an integral part of Newnan’s economy since they first started production here, and we expect they will continue to provide jobs and community support as their company expands. I look forward to continuing to work with Yamaha as they grow their Newnan location.”

In total, Yamaha employs upwards of 3,150 people across the U.S. – up from 2,800 in 2011 – and supports more than 30,000 additional jobs through its manufacturing facilities, corporate offices, field staff, distribution centers, suppliers and dealer partners. The Newnan factory alone spends more than $170 million annually with 137 worldwide suppliers – 125 of which are also based in North America. Yamaha has corporate offices, regional offices, factories and distribution centers in nine states including Georgia, California, Wisconsin, Texas, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Illinois, New Jersey and Washington.