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Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp’s first trip to Japan last fall included a full slate of company visits and prospect meetings, but one has proven to be particularly fruitful.
After 50 years in California, Yamaha Motor Co. Ltd. is moving its U.S. base to Kennesaw.
By 2028, it plans to complete a slow migration that the governor hopes to see repeated by other companies — perhaps more quickly in the future.
Yamaha already employs 2,300 people in the Peach State through various entities, including some 2,000 at the Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corp. of America factory in Newnan, which opened 40 years ago. Others Yamaha affiliates have followed, and Mr. Kemp headlined the opening of a new marine innovation center in 2023.
The office of the governor, who in meetings has been known to good-naturedly needle companies about moving their operations to Georgia, not-so-subtly hinted that other firms should follow suit, pointing to Georgia’s No. 1 state for business ranking.
“This is another loud and clear testament to what we offer job creators from around the world. To any other California-based companies looking for a better home, we’ll give you plenty of reasons to keep Georgia on your mind,” he said in a statement.
The governor met with Yamaha executives during his first trip to Japan last fall for the SEUS-Japan alliance annual meeting.
It’s unclear whether the meeting accelerated the company’s plans, which it said were an effort to streamline operations amid tariffs and market changes.
Either way, Kennesaw for many years has been “where all the action is” for Yamaha Motor USA, Chief Executive Mike Chrzanowski said in early 2025.
Global Atlanta reported the HQ move last week: Yamaha Motor Set to Move U.S. Headquarters to Kennesaw From California
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