DENSO is investing approximately $85 million to expand production of its gasoline direct injection (GDI) capability at DENSO Manufacturing Athens Tennessee (DMAT), in Athens, Tenn., resulting in about 400 new jobs over the next three years.
The company is building a new 224,000 sq. ft. facility at its existing location and will start production in July 2016. This marks DMAT’s http://www.searchautoparts.com/aftermarket-business/news-distribution/denso-invests-additional-55-million-tennessee-facility in an 18-month period. The overall expansion effort will represent a total investment of approximately $190 million and more than 700 new jobs.
“This project is critical to support the growing need of gasoline direct injection in North America as automakers are turning to this technology to help meet fuel-efficiency and emissions regulations,” said Brian Nolen, General Manager of DMAT’s Gasoline Products Manufacturing Division. “The localization of gasoline direction injection technology is resulting in new jobs, new production lines, new approaches to training and new growth among our supply partners in North America.”
DMAT’s recent investment has not only created new jobs for DENSO, but it has also resulted in new growth and job creation for its U.S. supply base. Last year, the Autocam Group of NN Inc., announced that it expanded production at its Marshall, Mich., location and will nearly double its employee base to produce precision-machined metal components for use in DENSO gasoline direction fuel systems. In addition, DENSO researched and worked with new local and global machine makers to help build the lines, including the new Machinery and Tools Division at DENSO Manufacturing Tennessee, in Maryville, Tennessee.
DMAT currently employs more than 1,450 employees, and has been producing fuel injectors (among other automotive components) since 1998 for the North America region. DENSO’s latest generation of GDI technology is geared to deliver more power and lower emissions while being more compact. Its reliability and flexibility allows it to be used in markets around the world. For consumers, it’s an overall savings at the gas pump and a satisfaction they are helping reduce impact to the environment.
In related news, Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam presented DENSO Manufacturing Athens Tennessee with the the state’s highest honor for workplace safety and health, the Volunteer STAR (Safety Through Accountability and Recognition) award at a news conference Jan. 28 at the plant. This is the plant’s third time to receive the Volunteer Star award.
“On behalf of our employees, I’m very proud to accept this award today,” said Ike Yamashita, president of DENSO Manufacturing Tennessee. “At DENSO, our policy is Safety and Quality First, and this award recognizes our excellent work force and continuous commitment to safety.”
The Volunteer STAR is a nationally recognized program patterned after the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) and recognizes the best of the best in the area of safety and health programming and performance. There are currently 40 Volunteer STAR sites in Tennessee.
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