Kumho Tire USA Inc.’s first U.S. tire plant is well on its way toward completion, as work crews at the site near Macon, Ga., have been racing to meet construction deadlines.

The 1-million-square-foot tire plant, according to local reports, is about 90% complete and is on track to begin production in early 2016.

Delayed for some six years because of economic and business conditions, work on the $425 million automated consumer tire plant restarted in 2014. At its open, the plant is expected to produce about 4 million tires per year; future expansion phases will boost capacity.

Kumho officials said they have fielded some 1,500 applications to fill an estimated 400 open positions at the plant. Nearly 90 engineers, team leaders and maintenance personnel have already been hired.