TASUS Corporation celebrated the construction launch of a $19 million,104,000-square-foot injection molding manufacturing facility in Florence today which will create more than 135 new jobs in the next three to five years to meet the company's production needs.
The company, which manufactures plastic injection molded automotive components for most North American automotive manufacturers and many of their Tier 1 suppliers, will begin hiring production team members, shift supervisors, maintenance and tooling technicians, among others as early as this month.
"We researched this area because of the significant growth in automotive assembly and Tier 1 suppliers in the South Eastern region of the United States; we found Alabama is centralized within much of the activity, and close to a few key customers " said Jay Brown, marketing director of Tsuchiya Group North America. “The State of Alabama and the City of Florence, along with the Shoals Economic Development Authority worked very hard to show us their interest in this addition of jobs and investment by offering a very sound business environment.”
“Alabama offers companies a strong workforce and a business-friendly climate,” Governor Robert Bentley said. “We are committed to helping companies succeed, and we are committed to creating more new jobs for the people of Alabama. The TASUS Corporation’s plans are a compliment to our statewide economic development efforts.”
“TASUS is a perfect fit for the state’s new economic development plan, Accelerate Alabama,” Alabama Department of Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield said. “The company will create high-skill jobs in an industry sector that is thriving in our state. Alabama is well on its way to becoming the third largest automotive manufacturer in the nation and we appreciate the jobs companies such as TASUS and other automotive suppliers provide to the people of our state. They have given us a reputation for excellence internationally.”
"We will be putting local citizens to work, and soon.” said Melanie Hart President and CEO of Tsuchiya Group North America. “We have selected a general contractor who will target the use of local subcontractors. “In addition we are in the process of outfitting a temporary Florence facility which will begin production in November to meet customer demand.” TASUS Alabama will be immediately looking for local employees to fill several vacancies. The jobs created now will transition to their permanent facility.
"TASUS has a great history of being an employer of skilled manufacturing employees, as they have proven with the launches of their manufacturing facilities in Indiana and Texas. “We are confident that our community will live up to those same high standards” said Forrest Wright, President of the Shoals Economic Development Authority.
The City of Florence is extremely excited to welcome TASUS to our community, said Florence Mayor Bobby Irons. “Based on my visits with corporate executives and having an opportunity to visit the Texas facility, I am very impressed with the quality of the company and its leadership. TASUS will be a tremendous asset as a member of our corporate community.”
“The new injection molding facility for TASUS is currently in the final stages of planning. TASUS officials began looking at the site in late 2011. Full production is scheduled to start in October 2013”, said Walt Barkalow, general manager of TASUS Texas, who will also serve as General Manager of TASUS Alabama.
"This is a facility that falls right in line with the TASUS business model. We plan to replicate our successes in Indiana and Texas right here in Alabama," said Hart. "With our other manufacturing plants nearing capacity we expect to transfer $8 million in current business immediately upon completion of this new facility. This will open capacity for the significant business demand from our Midwest and Southwest based customers. It simply makes sense.”
TASUS Corporation is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Japan-based Tsuchiya Co. Ltd.. TASUS is headquartered in Bloomington, Indiana and has additional manufacturing facilities in Georgetown,Texas and Hamilton, Ontario Canada. TASUS currently produces about 52 million plastic automotive components annually.
Koichi Ohara, the president of Tsuchiya Co. Ltd., which has its headquarters in Nagoya, Japan, made the trip to awaken new ground for the plant. “Investment in U.S. manufacturing is very important to us, it is with great pride that we are a part of new growth in Alabama,” said Ohara
TASUS is already showing great respect and environmental responsibility to the community. Rather than holding a traditional ground breaking, the event concluded with an “awakening” where state, local and TASUS officials planted a Camellia tree rooted in Japanese heritage and producer of Alabama’s state flower.
“We are here to make quality parts and “awaken” new jobs and opportunities for Florence, and the Shoals.” said Hart
About TASUS Corporation
TASUS Corporation, headquartered in Bloomington, Indiana, is a Tier One supplier to Toyota Motor Manufacturing North America and a Tier Two supplier to OEM automotive and transportation markets. Primary capabilities include injection molding (150 ton – 1450 ton), value-added assemblies, various welding applications, IMD (in-mold decorating), and leak testing. TASUS (pronounced TAH-sis) is among 24 global companies in 32 locations owned by the Tsuchiya Co., Ltd. TASUS has been in business for over 25 years and is TS16949 and ISO14001 certified.