SMAC is Born - Suzuki Opens North American ATV Manufacturing Facility

Press Release
Suzuki Manufacturing of America Corporation (SMAC) was created in 2001 to establish Suzuki's first US manufacturing facility. SMAC will initially be building ATV's in it's 100,000 square foot manufacturing facility located on Technology Parkway in Rome, Georgia.

Our parent firms, American Suzuki Motor Corporation (Brea California) and Suzuki Motor Corporation (Hammamatsu Japan) have invested approximately $30 million dollars on this project.

SMAC's primary markets are the United States and Canada. However a portion of our capacity id dedicated to the export markets in Europe, Australia and New Zealand. SMAC is the only manufacturing facility that produces the all new 400cc EIGER and the 500 cc VINSON ATV's.

The supplier base for SMAC reaches all across North America and into Japan. Therefore, on-time delivery is an important part of the SMAC supply chain. In this regard, SMAC endeavors to secure local parts suppliers wherever possible when it can improve our competitive advantage. In fact, part localization is a central point in our yearly management plan. SMAC will procure over $17 million in local parts in 2002.

SMAC is a regional employer with Team members coming from as far as Chattanooga, TN on the north, to Stockbridge GA on the south. However, 85% of our Team Members live within a 30 mile radius of our manufacturing plant. We anticipate a workforce of 100 to 150 Team Members after completion of our production ramp.

The SMAC impact can also be seen in the travel industry as we have up to 30 Japanese Engineers, Supervisors, and Managers that regularly visit SMAC for periods up to 90 days. We also entertain numerous visits from our suppliers, in addition to our yearly Supplier Conference.

SMAC is proud to become a corporate citizen of the Rome/Floyd County business community.

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LIke a Proud Papa, Ryosaku "Rick" Suzuki, President American Suzuki Motors Corporation, was on hand to walk us through the new facility.

The Eiger has been a very popular model - this one is on it's way out the door to an excited buyer waiting somewhere for it!

Note- We had the opportunity to tour the factory in August, just a couple months after the first production line started up. Production charts on the wall showed steady increase in completed units, on its way to a steady 100 units per day completed with only one line running! So far, Team Members have completed and shipped over 3,500 Eigers. At full capacity, after production lines for the new Vinson LT 500 are moved there in the spring of 2003, this plant will put out approximately 40,000 units annually.

We congratulate Suzuki on their commitment to the North American Market, with ATV's especially, and wish them good luck on the growth of this production facility.

If you've ever wondered what it all goes in to assembly of an ATV, follow along as a Suzuki Eiger is born!

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