World Trade Center Savannah (WTCSav) hosted its sixth annual Prosperity Through Trade Luncheon Thursday, May 15, in conjunction with World Trade Month.
During the luncheon, WTCSav presented the World Trade Center Savannah International Business of the Year Award to Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA). Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America’s story began in May 2022 when Hyundai Motor Group entered into an agreement with the State of Georgia and the Savannah Harbor-Interstate 16 Corridor Joint Development Authority to build a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in the U.S.
Once fully operational, there will be 8,500 workers on the Bryan County Megasite and HMGMA will produce 300,000 vehicles, with plans to expand in the future. More than 7,000 jobs have been announced by off-site suppliers.
“We are incredibly honored to receive this award in our first year of production and thankful to all the community leadership that made it possible,” said HMGMA Chief Administrative Officer Brent Stubbs. “HMGMA is proud to be an international company but even more proud of the impact we are making in the US and in Coastal Georgia.”
Sponsored by Georgia Southern University, the award is given annually to a regional company demonstrating excellence in international trade. This award is presented to encourage and recognize exemplary corporate leadership for international business or trade that advances relations between the U.S. and other nations as well as creates quality jobs in the region.
“We’re honored that HMGMA calls Bryan County home, but the truth is, it is the entire Southeast Georgia region and beyond that it impacts,” said Development Authority of Bryan County CEO Ryan Purvis. “The company has proven to be more than just the ‘largest economic development project in the State of Georgia.’ They have shown to be a key community player that strives to be a leader and champion for our region.”
Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America ran against a line-up of outstanding companies including AJIN Georgia in Bulloch County, Daniel Defense in Bryan County, Limbs & Things in Chatham County, and Wallenius Wilhelmsen in Glynn County. Past winners include Brunswick Cellulose (2024), International Paper (2023), Anatolia Tile + Stone (2022) Dorel Home Furnishings (2021), Brodie International (2020), Koyo Bearings North America (2019), DIRTT Environmental Solutions (2018), D.J. Powers (2017), Savannah Bee Company (2016), Alcoa Forgings and Extrusions (2015), Gulfstream Aerospace (2014), SNF (2013) and JCB (2012).
World Trade Center Savannah is a proactive international business and trade development organization that exists to create jobs and attract investment by helping to facilitate foreign direct investment opportunities for the region and by helping regional businesses do business internationally. This event serves to highlight global economic development in the region and to showcase the activities of WTCSav and the successes of its 16 economic development authority partners in the Southeast Georgia region.
May 16, 2025