Robert Burns Discusses Hyundai’s Impact on the State

Rotarian April Mason and President Gordon Martin with Robert Burns

This week the Rotary Club of Birmingham welcomed Robert Burns, Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer for Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama.

Burns shared the significant impact Hyundai has had on the state of Alabama and how it has changed the Montgomery area since the company built a manufacturing facility that now produces approximately 1,450 cars per day. He highlighted the company’s economic impact of $4.82 billion on Alabama, representing 2% of the state’s GDP and supporting 38,000 full-time jobs.

Burns provided an overview of the vehicle models that are built at the plant, their design and features, and how they perform in the industry at large. He showcased Hyundai’s advancements in electric and hybrid technology and previewed exciting new models and concepts on the horizon.

“It’s changed the landscape of Montgomery, though I have to give kudos to Mercedes who got it all started in Alabama,” Burns said. “The fact that this overall automotive industry is now probably number four or number five in sales in the U.S. market as a whole is really impressive. We’re glad to be able to have that significant impact on the state of Alabama.”

About Robert Burns

Robert Burns is currently vice president and chief administrative officer for Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama in Montgomery, Alabama. He is responsible for human resources, team relations, public relations, general affairs, cybersecurity, and environment, health and safety at the facility that employees more than 3,800 team members.

Before joining Hyundai in 2007, Burns spent 9 years working for Georgia-Pacific (GP) in Atlanta, Georgia.  He was senior manager of communications for GP’s North American Commercial Tissue Business and Communication Papers. His experience at GP included directing public relations for five consumer products manufacturing locations, human resources and labor relations issues.  Prior to joining Georgia-Pacific, Burns served in public relations and communications roles for International Paper and the State of Mississippi.

Burns graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with a bachelor’s degree in broadcasting and a minor in communications. He resides in Montgomery, Alabama with his wife, Nancy.