WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — A new aerospace manufacturing facility is coming to Warner Robins, promising to create 75 new jobs and strengthen Middle Georgia's military manufacturing corridor.
With the imminent changes, many are wondering: what is the KIHOMAC company?
KIHOMAC specializes in military aircraft parts. They announced plans to construct a new manufacturing plant focused on producing advanced travel pods for F-35 Lightning II fighter jets. The facility represents a $7 million contract with the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center.
"If you can imagine, if you own a classic car '66 Mustang, and all of a sudden you need a new carburetor. Where do you get those? They don't make them anymore," said Kiho Kang, CEO and founder of KIHOMAC. "These are kind of problems that airplanes have."
The company's primary mission involves creating replacement parts for aging military aircraft, some dating back to the 1960s and 1970s. KIHOMAC currently supports three Air Force logistics complexes: Utah Hill, Robins, and Tinker Air Force Bases.
The new facility, located at 1978 Lightning Way, will complement their existing operations in Byron, Georgia, where they currently employ about 60 people.
The location's address holds special significance for Kang.
"That's the year that I immigrated to the United States in 1978," Kang said. "My wife also immigrated to the United States in 1978 as well, so it's a very special year for us. That's when we started our American dream and this building does represent that."
The company is particularly focused on hiring veterans, who currently make up 40 to 45% of their workforce across all locations. The new positions will include composite technicians, wiring specialists, sheet metal technicians, and various engineering roles.
"Many of us are former Air Force, Army, Navy background," Kang said. "A lot of veterans do come to the company."
This expansion comes at a time when Robins Air Force Base continues to be an economic powerhouse in the region. The base contributed $3.845 billion to Georgia's economy in fiscal year 2023, representing a 7.582% increase from the previous year.
The F-35 MXU-1072/A Advanced Travel Pod contract represents a significant advancement in military logistics. These pods are designed to provide internal storage capacity for the F-35A, allowing it to carry deployment cargo, larger support equipment, and spare parts while supporting Agile Combat Employment missions.
KIHOMAC currently employs about 360 people across all locations, with approximately two-thirds of its workforce based in Utah. The company has a history of exceeding job creation targets, having surpassed their initial employment goals in Utah by 50%.
Construction is already underway on the new facility, with completion expected by the fourth quarter of 2025. Local incentives for the project include tax abatements for real estate taxes associated with the building, though the company would not state the specific details.