CULLMAN —
Local officials, company representatives and employees gathered Friday at Alabama Cullman Yutaka Technology (ACYT) to celebrate the tier-one automotive manufacturing supplier’s fifth year as an anchor tenant at Cullman Industrial Park No. 5.
The Yutaka plant has done nothing but grow in the short time since it began manufacturing automobile exhaust components, torque converters and other equipment as part of a long-term partnership to provide parts to American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
In the parlance of the automotive industry, ‘tier one’ suppliers are those which make and directly provide parts either to major vehicle assembly companies, or their original-equipment manufacturing (OEM) counterparts. Yutaka is one such supplier.
The company, which also operates manufacturing plants in Ohio and South Carolina, moved into its Cullman location in Oct. 2007 and spent about two and-a-half years running shifts in its original 166,000 square-foot facility before announcing a series of expansions that will have expanded the plant’s footprint by thirty percent and added around 100 jobs, when the last phase of expansion goes online in 2013.
ACYT president Masa Suzuki thanked employees, as well as the community, for the support and hard work that have enabled the plant to thrive during a period when many other players in the world economy — particularly the automotive manufacturing sector — have watched their productivity fall.
“This could not have been a achieved without your cooperation,” said Suzuki. “While we have been here, we have experienced two major increases in production...Thank you to the Cullman community for helping us be successful.”
“ACYT has been instrumental to our business
Cullman Economic Development Agency director Peggy Smith returned the thanks, saying the community has cemented a close bond with good industrial tenants like Yutaka, who rely heavily on local labor and training, while simultaneously offering the area good jobs, enhancing the local industrial infrastructure, and entrusting tremendous long-term investments to a strong base of local support.
“Our office began a relationship with Yutaka in 2006, when they came into our office — It began as a project and it blossomed into what we consider to be a partnership. Now, we’re currently in what we consider to be a friendship,” said Smith. “The work force in this community helps to keep the State of Alabama strong, and we are very grateful to you for being a part of our community.”
* Benjamin Bullard can be reached by e-mail at bbullard@cullmantimes.com or by telephone at 734-2131 ext. 270.
Top News
Related Photos
-
Alabama Cullman Yutaka Technologies (ACYT) president Masa Suzuki thanked employees and local officials for making the company’s partnership with Cullman County profitable for the company as it celebrates five years in operation. BENJAMIN BULLARD
-
Cullman city and county economic development officials speak with Yutaka Technologies staff at a reception Friday honoring the company’s fifth anniversary operating in Cullman County. BENJAMIN BULLARD
-
First-shift employees at Alabama Cullman Yutaka Technologies, LLC paused Friday to attend a reception honoring their service, as the company begins its sixth year of operation in Cullman County. BENJAMIN BULLARD
Discussion
Yutaka celebrates 5th year manufacturing in Cullman
Last phase of expansion goes on line in 2013
- Top News
-
-
2 Cullman residents arrested on drug charges, child taken to DHR
Two Cullman residents were arrested on multiple drug-related charges and a child was placed in Department of Human Resource’s care after deputies searched a home on Friday at 3:30 p.m.
-
BREAKING: Cullman Co. Schools' appointed superintendent bill passes
All future superintendents in the Cullman County school system will be appointed, following the last-minute passage of a local bill Monday night in the Alabama legislature.
-
The Times' Morning Update for Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Good morning, readers, this is what's happening in your county today:
-
Huge tornado hits Oklahoma City suburb, kills 51 (UPDATED)
A monstrous tornado at least a half-mile wide roared through the Oklahoma City suburbs Monday, flattening entire neighborhoods and destroying an elementary school with a direct blow as children and teachers huddled against winds up to 200 mph.
-
Home, sweet home: U.S. Army Charlie Company returns to Cullman (Updated: With Video)
U.S. Army Capt. Heath Brown has three children, but until Monday afternoon, he’d only met two of them.
-
Arrests, incidents reports for May 17-19, 2013
Here is a look at the incidents that were reported to the Cullman City Police Department for Friday, Saturday and Sunday:
-
Collapse closes Smith Lake road
Residents who live on Smith Lake and travel County Road 950 will have to find an alternate route until further notice.
-
Postal food drive successful for Cullman Caring For Kids
The Postal food drive on Saturday, May 11 gave over 6,000 pounds of food to Cullman Caring For Kids that will be donated to 500 families each month.
-
Appointed super bill could pass on final day of session
With just one day left , local legislators hope a local bill to change the Cullman County Board of Education superintendent from elected to appointed will be able to pass before time runs out in the current legislative session.
-
The Times' Morning Update for Monday, May 20, 2013
Good morning, readers, this is what's happening in your county today:
- More Top News Headlines
-
Raw: Aerials Show Path of Oklahoma Destruction
Raw: Widespread Destruction in Moore, Okla.
Raw: Massive Funnel Clouds in Oklahoma
Raw: Japan's WWII Atrocities Under Fire in Seoul
Voters Could Elect LA's First Female Mayor
Raw: Rescuers Pull Tornado Survivors to Safety
Oklahoma Gov: 'Hearts Are Broken' After Tornado
Raw: Walking in a Flattened Okla. Neighborhood
Raw: Rescue Workers Search Oklahoma School
Raw: Witness Describes Scene After Okla. Tornado
Raw: Aftermath of Massive Tornado in Oklahoma
Raw: House Burns After Massive Oklahoma Tornado
Raw: Tornado on the Ground in Oklahoma
Split-second Choice Ended With NY Student Dead
White House Backs 'Shield Law' for Media
Wave of Attacks Kills Scores in Iraq
Pug Life on Display at Wisconsin Festival
Company Promises to Make All Snail Mail Digital
Analyst: Tumblr Fills Void in Yahoo's Offerings
