Alabama Officials to Train Hyundai Suppliers

Economic developers from Alabama head for South Korea this week for two days of training sessions with Hyundai Motor Co. suppliers on doing business in the state.

Officials expect that 90 representatives of more than 40 potential suppliers will attend the sessions, which begin Wednesday in Seoul. Hyundai, which will build its first U.S. plant near Montgomery, will hold a similar session in Alabama in July to give U.S. auto suppliers a chance to win contracts from the plant.

Hyundai has not selected suppliers for its $1-billion Alabama plant, which in 2005 will produce the next-generation Santa Fe sport utility vehicle and the Sonata sedan. Representatives from Georgia and Mississippi have traveled to South Korea in recent weeks, hoping to steer suppliers their way.

Anita Archie, general counsel for the Alabama Development Office, said the trip is designed to give potential suppliers an overview of Alabama’s economy, taxes, incentives, work force, training and other aspects.

Hyundai has indicated that the assembly plant, expected to begin production in 2005, will require as many as 24 suppliers of major components.

That could mean as many as a dozen such suppliers will be needed in addition to U.S.-based support companies.