Auto supplier coming to Charlestown portion of River Ridge

Magnolia Automotive Services, a minority-owned joint venture between James Group International and Toyota Tsusho America Inc., will locate a new automotive supply chain operation at the River Ridge and plans to hire 26 workers by 2017.

This facility will receive auto parts and components from more than 100 North American suppliers, then sort and consolidate them into shipments sent to Toyota production facilities, according to a press release from One Southern Indiana. Gov. Mike Pence made the announcement today while touring Japan.

Magnolia will focus on achieving just-in-time processes, which is a key foundation of the Toyota Production System. This will be Magnolia’s first automotive operation outside of Mississippi.