In pursuit of more cost-efficient locations with friendlier business policies, a growing number of Japanese companies have transferred their operations to the Southern states, like Alabama, having determined that lower costs do not necessarily mean a compromise in productivity or quality.
Located in Madison County in northern Alabama, Huntsville is the state’s most populous city and played a special role in the country’s history. Nicknamed “The Rocket City,” Huntsville was the site of the launch of the country’s first space satellite, Explorer 1. Unsurprisingly, the city boasts the highest concentration of engineers.
“We occupy a unique space in the United States ecosystem. We have a very long history with international companies and a unique relationship with the Japanese and the European space agencies. We work in the aerospace side, the automotive side, and the genomic research side,” said Chip Cherry, president and CEO of the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber.
“We are not just a one trick pony. We are not just involved in the automotive side, which is also something we are very proud of. The core foundation of our local economy are companies and processes that involve a lot of engineering,” added Cherry, who is also secretary of the Huntsville Industrial Development Board.
However, Vice President for Marketing and Communications Claire Aiello pointed out Huntsville’s relationship with Japan extends beyond business. As corporate citizens of the city, Japanese businesses have made donations to schools and various non-profit organizations in their own communities.
“Regardless of what business our Japanese partners are in, we are honored to have them here and value the relationship we have with Japan. We share a lot of similarities with our Japanese partners, like cultural values and pride in our own histories,” Cherry said.
