Business & Tech

Global Manufacturer Moves U.S. Home Base To Lake Forest

Expansion pushes a massive manufacturing company to relocate its American headquarters.

An international manufacturer has relocated its North American headquarters to a 30,000 square-foot building in Lake Forest.

Chinese company Hongfa, one of the world's largest manufacturers of relay switches, purchased the facility at 20381 Hermana Circle in an industrial park near Lake Forest Drive.

Continued growth pushed the company to search for a new home after about five years in Tustin, said Jim Sherwood, senior sales manager with Hongfa USA.

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"In Tustin ... we had three or four adjoining single-story buildings," he said. "It was just not adequate. We've expanded consistently from when we officially opened in 2007."

Honga's new Lake Forest home more than doubles the space the company previously occupied, providing more than enough space for its 75 employees, Sherwood said.

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"We were all familiar with Lake Forest," he said. "It has everything; the conveniences, shopping, access through the arterial roads. The industrial parks are well maintained, and it's in general an attractive town."

According to the company, its Lake Forest facility will focus on regional and global distribution, serving markets in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. The company will also do testing and R&D.

On Monday the company will hold an extravagant grand-opening ceremony at its new location, with company and local dignitaries.

According to the company, Hongfa was started in China in 1984 and is currently ranked fourth worldwide in its industry. It employs approximately 18,000 people. 

Honga manufactures more than 160 different types of relays, producing more than 1 billion relay pieces annually. The company's relay switches are used in electronics such as computers, telecommunications equipment, HVAC equipment, medical equipment, home appliances and fire and safety devices.

Hongfa USA joins a number of companies headquartered in Lake Forest including Oakley, Fujitsu, Dynacast, Sole Technology, Stanley Black & Decker, Invensys and Del Taco.


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