A Japanese manufacturer of fuel tanks will bring at least 20 new jobs to Hall County when it locates its North American headquarters in Gainesville.

The Yazaki Corp. of Iwata, Japan, announced Wednesday that its new North American branch, the American Yazaki Corp., will soon open near Gainesville’s Industrial Park West on Atlanta Highway.

The company plans to use the 45,000-square-foot manufacturing facility that once housed Hibino Corp. of America to produce multi-layered fuel tanks that are built to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases.

Production should begin late this year, and plans are to expand the business to employ 30 to 40 people. Job postings will be placed with the Georgia Department of Labor.

Yasuo Yazaki, president of American Yazaki Corp., said the fuel tanks produced in Gainesville will meet emissions standards in California, which has the most stringent emissions standards in the United States.

“We expect this tougher California standard will eventually become the U.S. standard,” Yazaki said.

Yazaki said the company chose to locate its North American headquarters in Gainesville because of the quality of the area’s workforce, a long-term commitment of training support from the state’s Quick Start program and Lanier Technical College.

On Wednesday, the consul general of Japan, Takuji Hanatani, was on hand as the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce hosted a press conference to announce the new industry.

Hanatani said participating in celebrations of new industries and industry expansions was one of the most gratifying parts of his job.

“It is a grand and glorious day for weather and for good news,” said Kit Dunlap, president of the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce.

Gainesville Mayor Ruth Bruner formally welcomed the company to Gainesville at the press conference and Hall County Commissioner Billy Powell said it was an honor to have such a progressive industry come to the county.

“We thank you for bringing jobs to our community at a time when employment growth is critical,” Powell said.