China’s first manufacturing plant in Georgia could open in Newnan by the end of the year.

Coweta County officials were jubilant this week when China-based Lehui Enterprises, a manufacturer of food and beverage processing equipment, and W.Y. Industries, a leading U.S. manufacturer of food and beverage packing products, to enter into a joint venture agreement that will create 200 jobs within two years in the Newnan, Ga. area. The new company, named Kingwasong LLC, will manufacture, process and package a variety of condiments, including soy sauce, in an existing facility in Newnan. The facility is expected to attract $12 million to $15 million in new investment to the area, read a press release announcing the action.

“It was a three-year process for us to get them to choose us,” said Coweta County Development Authority Executive Director Bill Harrison.

One of the key factors in the selection of Coweta County is its proximity to Hartsfield, Harrison added. The county also had an existing building that Chinese officials said could be used for the manufacturing facility.

The 225,750-square-foot facility will be located at the former Olsonite manufacturing structure at 25 Dart Road in Newnan. The company will manufacture, process and package foodstuffs, including soy sauce, vinegars and cooking sherry. The facility will also be used to manufacture plastic packaging material in later phases of project operations.

“The building at 25 Dart Road in Newnan, the logistics infrastructure of metro Atlanta, the strength of the international airport, and growth of the Southeast marketplace were all factors we took into consideration during our decision-making process,” said Bill Cheng, president of W.Y. Industries.

“This project is another example of great teamwork and we appreciate everyone's hard work,” said Bill Harrison, executive director of the Coweta County Development Authority in the press release.. “The state’s involvement was critical to making this deal happen, but we’re very happy for the successful outcome and look forward to welcoming Lehui Enterprises and W.Y. Industries to our community.”

Harrison said he expects wages to be comparable with other production facilities in the area and said officials hope to have the facility in production by the first quarter of next year.

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