Honda is expanding its ATV production facility in Swepsonville, North Carolina, with a significant investment aimed at streamlining operations and increasing efficiency. According to ATVRider.com, the expansion will bring more parts production under one roof, consolidating the manufacturing of components for popular ATV models like the FourTrax and TRX.
The project involves a $9.84 million investment from Honda, supplemented by a $160,000 grant from the North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA). These funds will be used to renovate an underutilized 40,000-square-foot section of the existing Swepsonville plant, transforming it into production lines for front and rear fenders, side covers, and other essential ATV components. The RIA grant was facilitated through the Building Reuse Program, which incentivizes the revitalization of rural businesses by supporting the renovation of vacant buildings and the expansion of existing facilities.
This expansion is not a case of reshoring jobs from overseas. Instead, it represents a strategic shift in Honda's North American manufacturing footprint. Since 2023, ATV production has been migrating from Honda's Timmonsville, South Carolina, plant to the Swepsonville facility. With this latest investment, Honda is taking the next step by bringing more of the component manufacturing process in-house at the Swepsonville location.
The Timmonsville plant now focuses on manufacturing Honda's UTV lineup, which includes the Talon and Pioneer models. This realignment allows each plant to specialize in specific product lines, potentially leading to increased efficiency and optimized production processes.
The consolidation of ATV component production in Swepsonville is expected to yield several benefits for Honda. By manufacturing more parts on-site, the company can reduce transportation costs, simplify logistics, and improve overall supply chain management. This move could also lead to enhanced quality control and faster response times to changing market demands, according to ATVRider.com.
The expansion is also good news for the local economy in Swepsonville, as it will create 19 new jobs for North Carolinians. This investment demonstrates Honda's ongoing commitment to its North American manufacturing operations and its confidence in the long-term growth potential of the ATV market.
Key details of the expansion:
- Location: Honda's Swepsonville, North Carolina, plant
- Investment: $9.84 million from Honda, $160,000 grant from the Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA)
- Area: Renovation of 40,000 sq ft section of the factory
- New jobs: 19
- Products: Front and rear fenders, side covers, and other ATV components
- Models: FourTrax and TRX