Japan’s Toto invests $224m in new Georgia manufacturing facility to strengthen U.S. supply chain

Japanese sanitary ware giant Toto has opened a new $224m manufacturing facility in Morrow, Georgia, marking a significant expansion of its North American footprint and reinforcing its long-term commitment to the Americas market.

The three-story, 33,800 sqm (363,393 sq ft) facility—built on the site of Toto’s original Morrow plant—was completed in November 2024, with production slated to begin in fall 2025. The investment is central to Toto’s Americas growth strategy, aimed at meeting surging demand for its luxury one-piece toilets while reducing reliance on Asian production plants.

Expanding Toto’s capacity and supply chain resilience

The new factory increases Toto’s production capacity in the Americas to about one million units annually across its facilities in Morrow, Lakewood (Georgia), and Mexico, with the Morrow expansion alone adding 300,000 units per year. By localizing production, the company expects to ensure faster delivery times, strengthen its North American supply chain, and cut carbon emissions associated with long-distance shipping.

Taro Muroi, CEO of Toto USA, called the expansion “the next chapter in our U.S. manufacturing story,” noting that it deepens “the bonds of trust, collaboration, and shared vision” with employees, customers, and communities across the Americas.

Robotics, automation and sustainability

The facility features cutting-edge technologies to enhance precision, quality, and efficiency. These include a first-of-its-kind tank bonding robot that improves one-piece toilet assembly, a fleet of 34 robots streamlining production, and six automated guided vehicles transporting products between stages of production. High-pressure casting equipment will enable larger, more complex designs, while heat-resistant QR codes applied to each unit will allow real-time quality tracking and data analysis.

Further sustainability measures are planned, with two convection-heated kilns scheduled for installation in 2027. These will improve energy efficiency and reduce CO₂ emissions by about 23% compared to current models. The plant itself was designed with energy-efficient systems, aligning with the company’s TOTO WILL2030 strategy and commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Strengthening U.S. market leadership

Founded in Japan and operating in the Americas since 1989, Toto has steadily grown its U.S. presence, beginning production in Georgia in 1991. Today, it employs more than 420 people in Morrow and remains a key growth driver for the global Toto Group, which reported more than $5.34bn in annual sales.

In fiscal year 2024, Toto USA recorded $464m in sales despite challenges in the U.S. housing market. With the new Georgia facility, the company says it is better positioned to meet growing regional demand for high-end bathroom products while advancing its goals for resilience and sustainability.

“This expansion cements our leadership in luxury bathroom innovation,” Muroi said, “while creating a more agile, resilient manufacturing network that serves our customers, supports our employees, and contributes to the sustainability of our planet.”