Counter Culture

Korean company LG Chem makes countertops in Georgia

On a day of things first, largest and best, LG Chem, the largest chemical company in Korea, commemorated the grand opening of its first U.S. manufacturing facility in the best location they could find — Gordon County, Ga.

Gov. Sonny Perdue, DTAE Commissioner Mike Vollmer, Korean Consul General Kwang Jae Lee and others attended the event at the North Georgia plant of subsidiary LG Chem Industrial Materials Inc. (LG CIM), which will produce countertops.

“One of the most important factors when we decided to come here was the pro-business environment fostered by Governor Sonny Perdue,” said LG CIM President Mr. Hee Yil Ro. “We believe we have found the best location in the country for manufacturing the best acrylic solid surface in the world.”

Quick Start was another attraction LG Chem found in Georgia. The company has created 70-plus jobs in Gordon County so far, and from the beginning, Quick Start has provided courses ranging from general plant safety to introduction to chemistry and “Working with U.S. Americans for Koreans.”

Perdue, who led negotiations with LG Chem during a 2003 Georgia trade mission to Korea, acknowledged the effective collaboration among the Georgia Department of Economic Development, Quick Start and local leadership in Gordon County in bringing the $40 million investment to the state.

“We hope this will just be the first step, as you learn how easy it is to do business in Georgia, and how we will work along with you to make LG Chem successful,” said Perdue. “We want to help your operations in Georgia succeed and grow because when you succeed, Georgia succeeds with you.”

DTAE Commissioner Mike Vollmer, receiving a plaque from Mr. Ki Ho No, president and CEO of LG Chem Ltd., said, “I want to publicly thank you for locating in Georgia and for your trust in Quick Start, because, last weekend, as we were driving around Georgia, my wife said, ‘Mike, we need new countertops.’”

back to top