A candle-lighting ceremony and ribbon cutting Friday marked the grand opening in Grovetown of Uniparts India Ltd.'s U.S. headquarters.

More than two years in the making, the 28,000-square-foot Uniparts USA Ltd. distribution center in the Horizon North Industrial Park will serve as the logistical hub for the New Dehli-based supplier of parts for John Deere and Kubota.

The facility eventually will employ 50 workers, company officials said.

State and area business and government leaders, and company officials from India, Europe and the U.S. were on hand to commemorate the opening.

"It is a very momentous day for us," Uniparts India Managing Director Paramjit Soni said. The growth potential of the market and the "quality, hard work and honesty" of its work force drew the company to the U.S., he said.

The proximity of the Augusta area to ocean ports such as Savannah, and the John Deere plants outside Grovetown, made Horizon North a prime location, he said.

A number of setbacks, including a structural collapse during construction in 2005, delayed completion of the distribution center. Through it all, Mr. Soni said the company was amazed by the continued support and assistance of area and state leaders.

The Development Authority of Columbia County even shared office space with Uniparts USA employees during construction.

"While (your) doors are now open, we want to continue the relationship," said Stan Shepherd, the development authority's chairman.

Uniparts, which has shipped parts to the U.S. for more than 20 years, has ambitious growth plans for the future, including a challenge within the company to double in size within three years. Mr. Soni said growth defines the company.

"We are completely driven by this word," he said.

Uniparts CEO Herbert Coenen said the company already is planning a 50,000-square-foot expansion for on-site parts manufacturing.