Korean Parts Maker Opens Tennessee Facility.

Samlip America Inc., the largest Korean auto supplier, opened a new manufacturing facility in Clinton, Tenn. in May. This is the first Korean automobile parts manufacturer to locate in the state, a city official said.. The company will manufacture shifter and park brake assemblies at its new, 35,000 square-foot facility in the Clinton I-75 Industrial Park.

The company is expected to bring more than 100 new jobs to the area through 2002 for Clinton and Anderson County, according to a city official.

At the grand opening ceremonies, Choong Kon Lee, chairman of the parent company, Samlip Industrial Co., Ltd., told representatives of General Motors, Saturn, Governor Sundquist's office and other local officials that other Korean competitors are looking at the possibility of locating in the state.

"Korean automotive industry companies are paying keen attention to us with extraordinary interest, as we are the first, out of all the automotive related companies in Korea, who are expanding with local manufacturing facilities in the States," said Lee, through an interpreter.

Sanilip began supplying parts to GM in 1993 and has received the GM QSTP Award (Quality, Service, Technology, Price) and was named GM's Supplier of the Year Awards for five consecutive years.

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