LG Electronics expands in Huntsville with solar panel assembly project

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HUNTSVILLE, Alabama – LG Electronics announced a major expansion at its location in Huntsville. Aleading provider of residential solar panels in the United States, LG plans to invest $28 million to open aworld-class solar module assembly plant, creating 160 new jobs.

The new factory will assemble LG’s “Neon 2” series 60-cell modules, which are high-performance solar panels, generating over 17 percent more power than most conventional panels.

“LG has a long history as a leading corporate citizen in Alabama. Now, LG is launching our state’s first solar manufacturing plant, which represents a major milestone both for Alabama and for the company,” said Governor Kay Ivey. “We look forward to seeing where this great partnership takes us in the future.”

LG will establish the new factory with two production lines at an existing building on the company’s 48-acre campus in Huntsville, where the company has had operations for four decades. The new jobs will increase LG’s employment by 60 percent, to more than 400 workers.

“LG has long called Huntsville home, and the solar panel assembly factory will add a significant new dimension to our Alabama campus,” said Soon Kwon, Global President of the LG B2B (Business-toBusiness) Company. “Huntsville’s high-quality workforce and LG’s established presence in the Rocket City point to a bright future for LG in Alabama.”

The new solar panel assembly plant in Huntsville underscores the company’s commitment to investing in the U.S. and to driving environmental sustainability. Starting in early 2019, LG’s new Alabama factory is expected to produce 500 megawatts of power generation capacity annually.

The new solar plant will help LG better serve its U.S. customers, Kwon said. The company selected Alabama after conducting a competitive, multistate search, he added.

“LG has been a strong community partner in Huntsville for many decades – a relationship that has deepened through visits to the company’s headquarters in Korea and successful advancements in technological innovation,” said Tommy Battle, Mayor of Huntsville. “LG chose Huntsville as the place to do business in the U.S. more than 30 years ago, and they’ve chosen Huntsville again as a place to prosper with the new solar module plant.”
The company’s new solar module plant builds on LG’s legacy of leadership in Huntsville.

After starting as the company’s first U.S. manufacturing subsidiary in 1981, Huntsville became the home of LG’s service division in 1987, which expanded over the years to support LG’s growing presence in the United States.

“With the expansion of LG in the Huntsville-Madison County region, LG will utilize the latest technology in a high-growth market to produce these solar panels,” said Dale Strong, Chairman of the Madison County Commission. “The diversity and worldwide recognition of the Madison County economy demonstrates we continue to thrive with our finest hours still ahead.”

Today, as the headquarters location for North American service operations, LG Huntsville in the Jetplex Industrial Park at Huntsville International Airport includes the technical call center, service training center, field service operations and parts warehouse.

“The Jetplex continues to grow with this most recent announcement from LG, a global leader in home appliance, consumer electronics and mobile communications,” said Rick Tucker, Executive Director of the Port of Huntsville. “LG’s sole customer service division for the North American market is onsite already, so to see the company make a further investment in our community by expanding at our facility speaks volumes and is very exciting news for us to be able to share with other business partners who are
considering making North Alabama and the Jetplex Industrial Park their home.”

All rights reserved, Gumptown Magazine. Copyright 2018. 

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