YKK AP AMERICA INC. Announces the Construction of a New Plant for Residential Vinyl Windows

YKK AP AMERICA INC. (Headquarters: Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A.; President: Oliver Stepe), which is YKK AP Inc.’s overseas affiliated company, today announced it will build a new plant on land it acquired in Macon-Bibb, Georgia, for the manufacture of residential vinyl windows.

The new plant will be constructed to increase sales of residential vinyl windows in its sales area of the six southern states of in the U.S.A. The objective is to strengthen production and supply capabilities as well as to construct a production and supply system with a competitive market advantage. The new plant will have good transportation access and be located close to a highway interchange. It will be only three hours from a major landing port. YKK AP’s manufacturing functions in Macon　Factory, which are currently dispersed over two locations, are both scheduled to be transferred to the new plant after its completion.

In FY2021, YKK AP AMERICA INC. achieved record net sales supported by strong housing demand. YKK AP has listed as a priority measure, “strengthening its earnings structure and expanding the scale of its business by strengthening the product strategy and manufacturing base.” It will restructure its production and supply system to further expand sales by building the new plant through this recent acquisition of necessary land.

The new plant will construct an integrated production system, from the processing of windows using vinyl materials and glass to their assembly. Automation technology, which has been adopted in Japan for the APW Line for the production of vinyl windows, will be rolled out in the new plant to increase productivity by 212% from current levels. What is more, the building will let in natural light from windows, and the insulation of its roof and walls will improve energy efficiency performance to reduce CO₂ emissions. Furthermore, toward the achievement of carbon neutrality, the phased adoption of power generation technologies is being considered for the plant. Automation and manpower reduction for work involving heavy loads within the production line as well as during the warehousing and shipment processes will also be carried out to create an environment that is friendly to workers.

The upcoming construction of the new plant is also being welcomed by the local U.S. government. Governor Brian Kemp of Georgia released a statement that the new plant will further strengthen the relationship between the local community in Georgia and YKK AP.

https://gov.georgia.gov/press-releases/2022-08-16/governor-kemp-building-materials-manufacturer-ykk-ap-america-expands