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AISIN Celebrates Grand Opening of Fowlerville Proving Ground
(October 5, 2005) |
Testing begins this week at 870 acre site in Livingston County
FOWLERVILLE, Mich. October 5, 2005 - Aisin Holdings of America, Inc. (AHA), holding company for all Aisin Group operations in North America, today celebrated the long-awaited grand opening of its 870-acre automotive components test track and proving ground in Handy Township located near Fowlerville in Livingston County. The celebration took place before nearly 200 people, including Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm, auto industry executives, and local business and community leaders.
Aisin in Michigan
Officially named FT Techno of America (FTTA), but known as Aisin's Fowlerville Proving Ground, the new venture is a member of the Aisin Group, a Tier One worldwide automotive components supplier with global sales of more than $15 billion in 2004. In Michigan, Aisin Group companies employ 554 associates, with annual payroll of $40 million and total investments of $102.7 million. FTTA is Aisin's fifth group company in Michigan.
The new proving ground, Aisin's first in North America, and third worldwide (it has two in Japan), is research and development-based (non-manufacturing) supporting test surfaces of various lengths and lane widths used to develop and evaluate a variety of Aisin products and applications, such as transmissions, brakes, drivetrain, and chassis and body systems and components.
Michigan was the "Right Decision"
FTTA President Masanori "Mack" Yuasa, a 24 year veteran of Aisin Seiki, said the Fowlerville location was selected after two years of considering sites elsewhere in Michigan and in other states.
"The automotive business is extremely competitive," Yuasa told grand opening attendees, "but competition among Midwestern states is even greater. With the participation of Governor Granholm's administration, it quickly became clear that this facility was going to be located somewhere in Michigan. The Governor made it easy for us to make the right decision." He added that the Economic Development Council of Livingston County, Handy Township and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation were also instrumental in the selection process.
Respecting the Environment, Preserving History
Located in Handy Township, the former farmland sits about two miles southeast of the Fowlerville exit off the I-96 highway. Less than one third of the acreage will be developed, and the majority of the property will be unchanged and maintained in harmony with the environment. Aisin is preserving an historic family farmhouse that was acquired with the purchase of the land, said Yuasa. The 130-year-old "Smith House" will be used as a guest house for visiting Aisin associates and customers.
Community Gifts
With a long history of supporting education and the communities in which its facilities are located, Aisin used the grand opening opportunity to present monetary gifts to Fowlerville Community Schools and Fowlerville Community Park. The math and science curricula at Fowlerville Community Schools will receive a $20,000 gift ($15,000 from Aisin and an additional $5,000 from Toyota), while the Fowlerville Community Park will receive a $10,000 gift ($5,000 from Aisin and $5,000 from Toyota).
Toyota's gift is the result of the Toyota Community Connection program, a philanthropy program aimed at supporting non-profit organizations in the cities where the automotive manufacturer and its suppliers do business.
Yuasa, who was previously general manager of Operations and Research at Plymouth, Michigan-based Aisin World Corp. of America, an Aisin Group company, said being close to customers is strategically important, and the central location of the new facility will enable Aisin to expand its vehicle evaluation and product development capability as a Tier One auto supplier, while offering increased testing capabilities to its customers.
"We chose Fowlerville for many reasons, including its proximity to both Michigan State University and the University of Michigan," said Yuasa. "We also believe it is important to be part of a stable, growing community like Fowlerville, which has already made us feel welcome. We look forward to becoming a valued neighbor and pledge to become a good corporate citizen."
Aisin Holdings of America, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Aisin Seiki Co. Ltd. Headquartered in Kariya City, Aichi, Japan, Aisin Seiki is a Tier One, worldwide supplier of automotive products, such as brakes, transmissions, drivetrain, chassis,
body and information-related systems and components. In North America, the Aisin Group has 27 manufacturing, R & D and sales centers including FTTA. Aisin Group currently employs 9,000 associates in North America. The company expects to employ well over 10,000 associates by 2007.
Masanori "Mack" Yuasa, president of the Fowlerville Proving Ground, introduces guest of honor, Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm, at the Grand Opening celebration. Governor Granholm said the Aisin facility represents the future of Michigan's automotive economy. More than 200 guests, including customers, associates, and state and local dignitaries attended the October 5, 2005 event.
Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm and Aisin executives prepare to cut the ceremonial ribbon October 5, 2005 celebrating the Grand Opening of the new Fowlerville Proving Ground. The 870-acre facility is Aisin's first test track and proving ground in North America, and its third worldwide. |
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