Founded in 2014, Fukai Toyotetsu Indiana Corp. (FTIC) may be a latecomer for a tier one automotive supplier, but it could not have come to the United States at a better time. In Japan, parent company Fukai Manufacturing supported Subaru’s production for almost 80 years.
When Subaru in Japan saw an increase of production of its American counterpart, Fukai Manufacturing saw the benefits of investing in the United States. The move was highly symbolic not only for the Subaru-Fukai relationship, but also for Japan-Indiana ties.
FTIC, a joint venture between Fukai Manufacturing and Toyoda Iron Works, is the first company from Tochigi Prefecture to invest in Indiana, its first twin state.
“Maybe our case will serve as an example for other companies in Tochigi Prefecture looking for opportunities abroad or in America. If we can share our experience, we will have contributed to a stronger relationship between both sides,” FTIC President Satoru Fukai said.
Looking toward the future, FTIC aims to grow both with the Jamestown community and with Subaru.
“We are very proud to have a customer like Subaru. Their performance has been strongly respected from many angles. We are fortunate to be a part of it,” Fukai said.
