Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America powers jobs, technology and growth in Ellabell
Inside Hyundai’s massive Ellabell Metaplant, workers and robots are building more than cars — they’re building new opportunities in Bryan County.
ELLABELL, Ga. —
Along Interstate 16 about 25 miles west of Savannah, Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America has quickly become a major presence in Bryan County — and, company leaders say, a major source of jobs and opportunity.
Inside the plant’s general assembly area, about 350 workers operate across two assembly lines, producing nearly 500 vehicles per shift. “This is where all of the craftsmanship goes into the vehicle,” said Jerald Roach, Head of Department for General Assembly.
Roach said the Ellabell facility is among the most highly automated plants in the United States, with robots and workers sharing responsibilities on the line. “What you’ll see when you walk through the plant is a real harmony between the things that people are doing and the things that our robots and our automation are doing,” Roach said.
Automation handles major components such as suspensions and batteries, while workers — known at the plant as “Meta Pros” — perform detail-oriented tasks such as installing carpets, trim panels, and seats.
Roach said those jobs highlight the continued importance of human workers, even as manufacturing technology advances.
For Brittany Mills, a general assembly production group leader, the plant has also created a path for personal and professional growth. Mills said she was among the first employees hired and came in without experience in auto manufacturing. “We all have to start somewhere. I did,” Mills said. “I’ve grown tremendously working for this company.”
Mills said the workplace culture has made the plant feel like more than a job.
“I like the culture,” she said. “It’s been very different from what I can see, especially in the factory. But to me, this is a second home.”
She said the company has also given her opportunities she never expected, including a trip to South Korea to learn how to build model vehicles. “It was my first time out of the country, my first time on a plane,” Mills said. “This company has given me many firsts I’m able to share with my kids and really take pride in.”
Roach said the plant’s impact extends beyond the assembly line, helping workers build stable lives in the community.
“The jobs that they’re filling here are allowing them to grow families,” Roach said. “We’ve had a couple of people here who got married after they joined here. They bought houses. It’s providing opportunities, and I get to see every day.”
The plant is preparing to launch a new overnight shift, which will increase day-to-day production.