High-tech jobs hit town

Japanese firm to make fuel tanks for Honda

By Jake Goshert, The Marion Star Staff Writer

Vowing to be a good corporate citizen, the newest tenant of Marion’s Dual Rail Industrial Park greeted its new neighbors with many thanks and many dollars for area schools.  

US Yachiyo (USY), a subsidiary of a Japanese car part manufacturer, announced plans Monday to build a 120,000-square-foot facility in the city’s Dual Rail Industrial Park. The factory, which will employ 80 people within three years, will produce high-precision fuel tanks, specifically for the Honda plant in Marysville.

Construction on the plant will start in April, with production beginning in August 2000. The total investment in the new plant will be $29 million.

If all goes well the plant could expand in the future.  

“I hope this is a first phase of a number of future phases that will be a lasting between the city, the county, the community and your company,” Mayor Jack Kellogg told company officials at a welcoming reception Monday at the Palace Theatre. “It is just another stone in our foundation what we’re trying to accomplish in increasing employment in Marion.”

The technology involved in USY’s production process is state-of-the-art, a process recently developed jointly by USY’s parent company, Yachiyo Industry Co. Ltd. Of Japan, and an international machinery manufacturer.

“The new production process, we believe, is the fastest and most accurate found anywhere in the world,” said Kazuhira Kato, the president of USY’s parent company.

“We will set up a competitive fuel tank business and supply our customers with high-quality and reliable products, built with pride from Marion, Ohio.”

Dave Claborn, president of the greater Marion Community Area New Development Organization, said USY’s new factory is just the latest in advanced technology hitting Marion. LTV Steel, which is also located in the rail park, has also brought in sophisticated technology.

“(USY’s) factory will have the most advanced technology in its field. LTV is the most advanced technology in its field. So what we have here is a cutting edge industrial park,” Claborn said. “That is important in the long run for Marion, that we develop companies that are leading technology’s edge instead of the end edge of technology.”

Community

Marion was one of four cities in Ohio, Michigan and Indiana on the list of finalists for the plant.

USY officials said Marion won the factory for many reasons. One is its proximity to Marysville. Also the land and the 40-acre site in the dual rail park met with its technical needs.

They also credit the local officials, who they said were very willing to work on ways to bring the plant to Marion.

The company received local and state tax breaks designed to lure new business to Ohio.

At the state level the company applied for the Job Creation Tax Credit under the name of TRX Tech, in an effort to keep the project quiet.

“Many cities were evaluated but in the end the support, cooperation and friendliness of so many people made tonight possible,” said Hideo Sakata, the general Manager of Yachiyo Industry’s overseas operations. “(Officials such as Claborn) have coordinated many solutions and helped resolve many difficult items.”

Aiming to be good neighbors in their new community, USY officials presented a check for $30,000 to establish a scholarship fund for local students. It will be used to help pay for secondary education for qualified county high school graduates over the next five years.

“We at US Yachiyo believe in the importance of education, because it really represents the future of our children. We want to support and make a positive contribution to our new home in America,” Sakata said. “Our cultures are different but our hopes and dreams are similar. We hope Marion will grow and prosper and it is our hope that US Yachiyo will grow and prosper with your city.”