Chinese cabinetry wholesaler thrives in the Peach State

Georgia had everything a kitchen cabinet wholesaler from China was looking for several years ago.

In 2011, seeking to tap the overseas market, LifeArt Cabinetry Corp from Fuzhou, Fujian province in Southeast China established its North American headquarters in Norcross, Georgia, with a 100,000 square-foot showroom and distribution center.

"We believe the state's booming economy, friendly investment climate and convenient transportation could provide us lots of business opportunities, which will be very helpful to expand our business to other states in the US," Cecil Zhang, vice-president of LifeArt in the US, told China Daily in an interview.

According to Georgia's Department of Economic Development's website, the Southeast state consistently receives high marks for its business climate, with Site Selection magazine ranking Georgia No. 1 five years in a row from 2013 to 2017.

Georgia welcomes international investment — there are more than 3,500 international firms that own and maintain facilities and offices in the state, and more than 65 nations operate consulates, trade offices and bi-national chambers of commerce in Georgia.

Georgia has the infrastructure to provide access to domestic and international markets. Flights at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport travel to more than 75 countries and 150 US cities daily. Four major US interstate highways allow business to reach 80 percent of US markets in two days or less.

Georgia has two deepwater ports, in Savannah and Brunswick, which serve all major ocean carriers and 100-plus trucking companies.

The state's extensive rail systems also integrate with Savannah, the largest intermodal hub in the Southeast.

Zhang said that after settling down in Georgia, LifeArt, founded in 2003, has gained strong support from both state and local governments.

"We've been offered tax reduction and exemption, which is very favorable," she said.

Companies in the state enjoy a 6 percent corporate tax rate that applies to income earned in state. They can earn tax credits for creating jobs, upgrading or expanding, as well as receive tax exemptions for purchases and inventories.

The state also has incentives to encourage the creation of small businesses and entrepreneurial ventures.

Seventeen Fortune 500 headquarters and 13 Fortune 1000 companies call Georgia home.

"I think Georgia has the friendliest investment climate in the US," Zhang said.

By offering a broad range of ready-to-assemble cabinet lines, in both framed and frameless styles, LifeArt provides dealers custom all-wood cabinets.

"We have full control over the design, production and quality of our products," said Zhang.

"We are proud of ourselves in becoming the first Chinese manufacturer obtaining 2020 Product Catalogs, National Trade Name/Mark registered and Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association (KCMA) certification in the great Atlanta stock cabinetry industry," Zhang said.

Zhang said consumers nowadays are more concerned about products that not only look good but are conscious of health and the environment.

"By purchasing our cabinets, you are not only helping to improve your home, but doing your part to help safeguard your health and the environment," the company's website says.

Relying on its manufacturing plant in China, in 2015, the number of containers imported by LifeArt through the Port of Savannah exceeded 100, and the number is increasing each year.

By the end of 2017, LifeArt had established 19 sales outlets on the East Coast.

Contact the writer at xiaohong@chinadailyusa.com.