ATLANTA — GF Health Products announced last week it is relocating its Lumex recliner production from Taiwan to Atlanta. With help from a local economic development program, the company will renovate a 96,000-sq. ft. facility in the city's Doraville suburb and add another 7,200 square feet to that footprint.
Marking the third phase of the manufacturer's "Made in the USA" initiative, the move represents $1.75 million in capital investment and 17 new jobs.
"We began our Made in the USA initiative to provide our customers with a more unique and 'only from Graham-Field' product," President and COO Ken Spett said in a release. "Producing and assembling products in the States provides several advantages such as streamlined logistics and qualified workforce — both of which we found to be very strong in the [Metro Atlanta] region."
The company kicked off the initiative in July 2009 with production of the Patriot Homecare Bed at its Fond-du-Lac, Wis., facility. The bed integrates headboards and footboards manufactured overseas with a domestically produced sleep surface.
Graham-Field said it is working "to provide the highest quality products at the right price" by combining global component sourcing with in-house engineering and manufacturing.
In addition to its Atlanta and Fond du Lac operations, the company also has a manufacturing facility in Warwick, R.I., and distribution centers in St. Louis, Los Angeles and East Rutherford, N.J.