Special Delivery

Arrival of Kia cargo showcases state’s team spirit and logistics infrastructure

Team Georgia demonstrated its ability to support the most challenging demands of 21st century advanced manufacturing this past October, when numerous state agencies collaborated to help deliver more than 3,500 tons of equipment to the $1 billion Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia, Inc., facility in West Point, Ga.

The equipment — which is currently being assembled to make the massive presses used to stamp out parts for Kia’s automobiles — originated in Korea and completed a 15,000-mile journey when it arrived in early October at the Port of Savannah’s Ocean Terminal, which is operated by the Georgia Ports Authority. The Georgia Department of Transportation oversaw the transport of more than 100 loads to West Point over the next few weeks, some of which involved special carriers for pieces that weighed more than 125 tons each.

The Georgia Department of Economic Development facilitated coordination of the project, and Georgia Quick Start made sure that KMMG had the training in place to prepare the company’s team members to operate the equipment once it is installed and production begins.

“This is a great example of how Georgia’s strengths enable our successes in economic development,” said Gov. Sonny Perdue. “From our ports to our highways to Quick Start’s workforce training, Georgia has all the advantages that global companies look for in a place to create new jobs and new investment.”

Kia Motors America/KMMG CEO and President Byung Mo Ahn joined Perdue and other dignitaries in a ceremony welcoming the arrival of the cargo at the facility.

“The arrival of this equipment is a major milestone in the building of our Georgia plant,” said Ahn. “Its safe arrival here today is testimony to the successful partnerships we have developed with Governor Perdue and his entire Georgia team.”

Quick Start Robotics Training Readies Kia Team for New Equipment

As Kia’s stamping and blanking presses made their way to West Point, Ga., Quick Start’s team in advanced manufacturing technologies was already in place, developing specialized training in robotics at the adjacent Kia Georgia Training Center. The training covers automotive assembly robotics, robotic welding applications, and control systems.

“The robotics training we’re delivering here at the training center simulates the same robotic processes Kia will use to operate its production equipment,” said Vic Desmarais, Quick Start’s manager of advanced manufacturing training.

“While they’re transporting and assembling the presses, we’re preparing the team with the skills they’ll need to operate them,” Desmarais said.

The robotics lab at the Kia Georgia Training Center was specially designed by Quick Start to facilitate effective, hands-on training in a broad range of topics, including the theory and practice of automation control, robotic safety, setup and programming, troubleshooting, and robotic controllers. A software simulator is used to orient students to 3-D positioning and teach pendant operation in a safe environment.

Once the students have completed the three-week course, team competitions are held to let students showcase their skills and enhance their ability to work in focused teams, Desmarais added.

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