SK On invests 23.5 billion KRW to establish IT center in Georgia, USA

[Asia Economy Reporter Haeyoung Kwon] SK On will invest $19 million (approximately 23.5 billion KRW) to establish an IT center in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, to support battery production within the United States.

On the 26th (local time), the office of Georgia Governor Brian Kemp announced in a press release that SK Battery America will establish a technical support center in Roswell, near Atlanta's Koreatown, by the end of this month and hire about 200 employees.

SK Battery America is the U.S. subsidiary of SK On, the battery subsidiary of SK Innovation.

Governor Kemp welcomed the move, stating, "SK Battery America will create future advanced jobs through creative investment." The governor's office said the newly established IT center will support the entire battery production facilities in the U.S. through battery production management and data analysis.

Since 2019, SK On has invested $2.6 billion (approximately 3.2 trillion KRW) to build a factory in Commerce City, Jackson County, Georgia, producing vehicle batteries. Pat Wilson, Georgia's Secretary of Economic Development, said, "Starting with SK's investment in Georgia in 2019, additional investments from related companies and support centers have continued."

Currently, Kia Motors' U.S. factory is operating in Georgia. Last year, Hyundai Motor began constructing an electric vehicle-dedicated plant, and electric vehicle-related companies are actively entering the market. Last month, Georgia announced that SK On and Hyundai Motor will establish an electric vehicle battery factory in Bartow County by 2025. Regarding this, the two companies only explained that they are reviewing various options.