JST Corp., a manufacturer of electronic connectors, is planning to build an automation-based facility in Guntersville’s Conners Island Business Park, a $500 million project that will create 80 jobs.
JST has had a small facility in Guntersville since 2003, its first investment in the southeastern U.S. It employs 25 people at its current facility.
The new project is expected to cover 540,000 square feet on a 240-acre parcel next to Lake Guntersville. The development will also include a 10,000-square-foot sales, marketing and engineering building adjacent to the design and production facility.
“We are excited to expand our success in Guntersville,” said Phillip Mosely, sales manager for JST. “This will be a showcase for both the company and the state, combining our AI-driven automation with Alabama’s natural beauty in a unique facility.”
Based on extensive robotic systems, every phase of production will be part of an automated process, including injection molding, stamping and plating, as well as connector and cable assembly.
The combined manufacturing and design center will include a significant number of engineering and other professional positions.
Designing the new JST facility is Ryuchi Ashizawa, of Osaka, Japan, who is known for seamlessly incorporating facility design, landscaping and natural resource preservation into his work. The architectural design is expected to reflect and protect the natural setting adjacent to Lake Guntersville.
Kevin Lauret, JST plant manager for the new facility, said, “The property’s large footprint is ideal for JST’s commitment to environmental stewardship.” He added that the project will retain the cross-country track for the Guntersville High School team, which hosts large regional events at Conners Island.
“We have been very intentional about the right kind of tenants for Conners Island Business Park,” said Guntersville Mayor Leigh Dollar. “It is a real honor for a global leader like JST to validate our long relationship with such a marquee facility.”
Based in Osaka, JST was founded in 1957 and operates 70 facilities in 17 countries. The company’s electronic connectors are used in automotive, appliance, consumer electronics, medical, transportation systems, robotics, gaming and amusement, and business equipment industries.
