Headquartered in Indiana, automotive components manufacturer Aisin World Corp. of America is part of the Aisin Group, which includes 31 subsidiary companies, and nearly 13,000 employees in North America. The company has six manufacturing plants and a logistics center in Indiana, making the state the nerve center of Aisin operations in the region.
Parent company, Aisin Seiki, the fifth-largest tier-one auto supplier in the world, established Aisin USA Manufacturing Inc. in Seymour, Indiana, and began production here in 1987, stated President and Chief Executive Officer Masayasu Saito.
“The company located its headquarters in Indiana due to its logistical advantages and business-friendly environment,” he added.
And for nearly 30 years of doing business in this manufacturing hub, Saito and Aisin have nurtured strong relationships with the Office of the Governor and the Jackson County Industrial Development Corp. as it contributes to efforts that promote the state’s economy.
“We have learned that in Indiana, the counties and cities work together to actively promote and attract businesses and develop a highly skilled workforce,” said Saito.
“That’s very important to us. Also, many of our suppliers are also located alongside Interstate 65, and the number of these companies is believed to grow in the near future.”
In the last three years, Aisin subsidiaries in Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee have also exhibited robust growth in terms of revenue and production capacity. Additionally, Aisin’s sunroof factory in Illinois has exceeded forecasts, a trend reflected at many of its locations.
In line with its long-term plan, labeled “Aisin’s 2020 Vision” the company, which manufactures brakes, transmissions, navigation systems, drivetrains, chassis, body, engine-related parts, electronics and intelligent transportations systems, hopes to achieve sales of $3 billion in North America by 2020.
“We expect that our North American businesses will grow even more in the future,” said Saito.
“Despite some risks, our consolidated sales have exceeded $2.4 billion in a brisk market with well over 16 million vehicles sold annually. So, Indiana, and the North American region are extremely important to Aisin’s global operations.”
- Originally prepared by Global Media for The Japan Times Special Report on the U.S. Midwest 2014 (Credit: Philippe Le Saux, Angelo Romualdez, Elizabeth Arcega and Brian Banta)
