Pirelli plans to grow its facility in Floyd County exponentially, with a $1.2 billion investment in equipment that is expected to add 1,000 more jobs.
The company’s tire plant and North American headquarters at 100 Pirelli Drive in Rome currently employs 234 people.
“This historic investment will expand Pirelli’s footprint with roughly five times more positions than they currently employ across the region,” said Gov. Brian Kemp, who made the announcement Tuesday in a release.
Headquartered in Italy, Pirelli opened its Floyd County facility in 2002. Claudio Zanardo, CEO of Pirelli North America, said in the release that the U.S. is one of Pirelli’s most important markets and they see significant opportunities for growth.
“The expansion of our Rome facility strengthens our ‘local for local’ strategy, increasing our manufacturing capacity in the U.S. while introducing the latest-generation technologies, such as the Cyber Tyre and advanced robotics,” Zanardo said.
Plans are to expand the factory in two phases: first adding latest-generation Pirelli robotics equipment, followed by the addition of a traditional manufacturing process which will require more hiring. Pirelli expects to begin the bulk of hiring in 2029, with the facility projected to be at full operations in 2033.
Floyd County Commission Chair Rhonda Wallace called the announcement “incredible news” for the people of the county and a testament to the 20-plus years of Pirelli’s partnership in the community.
“While we always enjoy news of new business and industry coming to Floyd County, it is even more meaningful when an existing industry announces an expansion,” Wallace said.
The Georgia Department of Economic Development’s Global Commerce team worked on the project along with the Rome-Floyd Development Authority, Georgia Quick Start and Georgia Power.
The investment brings the future to Georgia, said the state economic development commissioner, Pat Wilson, with advanced robotics, next-generation manufacturing and technologies that are making cars increasingly connected and intelligent.
“Pirelli has been an important part of Georgia’s automotive story for more than 20 years, and we are proud to partner with them as they help write the next chapter,” Wilson said.