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March 16, 2010

Cullman Yutaka to expand

Up to 45 jobs, $3 million investment in the works

By Trent Moore The Cullman Times

CULLMAN — A new expansion at Alabama Cullman Yutaka Technologies (ACYT) is expected to create up to 45 new jobs this year.

The $3 million investment will add a catalytic converter line to the Cullman plant, which will serve Honda vehicles manufactured across the state.

“We’ll basically be producing catalytic converters for the Honda Odyssey, Pilot and Accord models,” ACYT plant vice-president Jim Willoby said. “We had anticipated and hoped for this when we built our building, so there will be no physical expansion right now. We’ll just be adding equipment.”

Yutaka already manufactures torque convertors, exhaust systems and other products for Honda Manufacturing of Alabama.

The new catalytic machinery should be installed within the next few months, Willoby said.

“We’re very pleased to be adding jobs to the community and growing, which was of course our goal when we came to Cullman,” he said.

Sales for the entire Honda line were up 12.7 percent in February, which should bode well for the Cullman plant. Dale Greer, with the Cullman Economic Development Agency, said the announcement is a good indicator that the regional automobile manufacturing industry is here to stay.

“They are doing new contracts and bringing additional business to their tier one suppliers,” he said. “It’s good that the automobile industry is anticipating a rebound.”

With the economy struggling, this announcement is a rare positive for the area job market. The local unemployment rate now stands at 11.2 percent, surpassing the statewide average of 11.1 percent for the first time in recent memory.

“With unemployment so high, that’s (new jobs) pretty important,” Greer said. “You’re still a long way from turning the corner, but it’s a positive sign. In these times any positive is something you hold onto and appreciate.”

This is the second expansion this year for Yutaka, following a $2.75 million project in January to begin producing exhaust systems for the 2011 Honda Odyssey.

“This is a different project, but they’re definitely both good news,” Willoby said.



* Trent Moore can be reached by e-mail at trentm@cullmantimes.com, or by telephone at 734-2131, ext. 225.

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