Leading electronics manufacturer announces plans for major expansion in Gwinnett County
(GWINNETT- METRO ATLANTA) November 1, 2011- Gwinnett Chamber Economic Development and the Georgia Department of Economic Development will join Ricoh Electronics, Inc., in celebrating the expansion of its local facilities in Lawrenceville- bringing 70 jobs to Gwinnett County and Metro-Atlanta at a groundbreaking ceremony tomorrow. More than half of the computer and electronic manufacturing jobs in Georgia are located in Gwinnett County, with the proportion of jobs in this sector nearly double the national average.
“This expansion of our thermal media operations enhances our capability to meet our customers’ increasing demands and expectations for high-quality products and affirms our commitment to investing for the future. We look for this facility to play a key role in meeting the needs of the North American market and expanding into new markets,” explains Jeff Briwick, president of Ricoh Electronics, Inc. “We are extremely grateful for the tremendous support provided by the city, county, and state agencies that have helped make this expansion possible,” adds Frantz Pierre, Vice President and Group Manager, Georgia Operations Group.
Ricoh Electronics, Inc. is one of over 272 domestic and overseas companies that comprise Ricoh Company, Ltd., a $21-billion global corporation and a leading supplier of advanced office automation equipment. Ricoh produces highly-advanced digital copiers, peripherals, printed circuit boards, SecureFax™ machines, thermal media, toner, parts, recycled toner cartridges, and customer-configured products at facilities in Orange County, California, and Lawrenceville, Georgia.
“Ricoh’s decision to expand here in Georgia makes a great statement about the company’s confidence in the strength of our business environment, logistics infrastructure and highly-skilled workforce among other competitive advantages,” said Gretchen Corbin, Deputy Commissioner of Global Commerce for the Georgia Department of Economic Development. “This expansion clearly illustrates Ricoh’s commitment to Georgia, and I am glad to work with our partners in Gwinnett County to help create opportunities for Ricoh and the people of this community.”
“Ricoh Electronics has had a home in Gwinnett County for many years. We are excited that they have decided to expand their operations here locally, increasing their presence in our community and creating jobs for Gwinnett residents.” said Gwinnett County Chairman Charlotte Nash.
Ricoh Electronics utilized the services of Georgia Quick Start, a program that has proved to be among the state’s key assets for supporting new and expanding industries. Quick Start delivers workforce training in classrooms, mobile labs or directly on the plant floor, wherever it works best for a company.
“As the nation’s oldest and most successful state job training program, Georgia Quick Start has been proud to support the continuing success of Ricoh Electronics by providing customized workforce training for numerous past expansion projects,” said Jackie Rohosky, Technical College System of Georgia assistant commissioner of economic development programs, and head of Quick Start. “This new facility marks another milestone in Ricoh’s growth, and we are proud to be partners with the company in their growth and the job creation that they are bringing to Gwinnett and the State of Georgia.”
Local dignitaries and elected officials will be on hand to celebrate the announcement and groundbreaking of Ricoh Electronics.
“As part of the Chamber’s ongoing mission to create jobs, strengthen the community and grow business, it is a privilege to see these objectives being realized with Ricoh Electronics’ expansion in our community,” said Jim Maran, President and CEO of the Gwinnett Chamber. “It’s with the collaboration of regional and local partners that we can celebrate such tremendous success. Thank you to all of our Partnership Gwinnett investors for your continued support of benchmark standards in Gwinnett’s economic development efforts; and congratulations to Ricoh on this historic achievement.”
Supporting local business expansion efforts, such as Ricoh Electronics, are the public and private partners of Partnership Gwinnett, the community economic development initiative. Partnership Gwinnett’s internationally award-winning efforts have facilitated over 285 expansions and 12,500 jobs since its inception in 2007.
“Ricoh Electronics’ choice to remain and expand their facilities in Gwinnett County is a testament to the pro-business environment and strong support system we have in Gwinnett,” commented Nick Masino, Vice President of Economic Development and Partnership Gwinnett. “The manufacturing expansion and the jobs created with that investment contribute significantly to the continued growth that Gwinnett County has seen, despite the current economic climate. I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank Charles Stallworth with Georgia Power Economic Development for his tremendous assistance in this project.”
For more information on how to get involved in local economic development efforts, please visit www.partnershipgwinnett.com.
About Partnership Gwinnett
Partnership Gwinnett is Gwinnett’s economic and community development initiative. Led by the Gwinnett Chamber and a host of public and private partners, the initiative targets the retention and expansion of existing Gwinnett businesses in addition to the development of new business in five key market segments: Healthcare; Advanced Communications; Information Technology; Trade & Distribution; and Regional/Corporate Headquarters. The ultimate goal is to promote economic wealth & diversification, increase education and work force excellence, improve quality of life and heighten visibility through marketing and outreach programs for the entire Gwinnett community. For more information on Partnership Gwinnett, the internationally award-winning community and economic development initiative, please visit www.partnershipgwinnett.com.
Partnership Gwinnett is Gwinnett’s economic and community development initiative. Led by the Gwinnett Chamber and a host of public and private partners, the initiative targets the retention and expansion of existing Gwinnett businesses in addition to the development of new business in five key market segments: Healthcare; Advanced Communications; Information Technology; Trade & Distribution; and Regional/Corporate Headquarters. The ultimate goal is to promote economic wealth & diversification, increase education and work force excellence, improve quality of life and heighten visibility through marketing and outreach programs for the entire Gwinnett community. For more information on Partnership Gwinnett, the internationally award-winning community and economic development initiative, please visit www.partnershipgwinnett.com.
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