Out Of Tragedy Comes Hope For Local Residents

Helenwood, TN (2011-03-16) The recent Tsunami in Japan has impacted the lives of thousands of people, not only in Japan, but in the United States. Locally, one Japanese-owned manufacturing facility is forging ahead in the face of adversity, not only doing business as usual, but committing to a planned expansion that will provide badly need jobs to the community.

Nagahisa Tateno, President of Takahata Precision America informally announced today a planned expansion of the company’s U.S. operations. Speaking to reporters about the recent tragedy in his homeland, Mr. Tateno disclosed the company’s planned intent to expand its Helenwood facility, the only plant the company owns and operates in the United States. The expansion would reportedly accommodate the production of a new line of parts for another Japanese-owned business.

“We appreciate the many telephone calls and emails from local people and people from other states, who have contacted us concerned about ‘our family’,” commented Debra Thompson, Vice-President of American Operations. In light of the widespread devastation in Japan, many people who knew of the local company’s Japanese affiliation, grew concerned about the company’s Japanese employees and assets. “Our Japanese family is fine,” commented Thompson, who explained while the company was a global employer, it placed a great emphasis on its employees and their families. While employees in Takahata Precision’s Japanese facilities reportedly felt the earthquake, the company’s plants and corporate offices were miles away from the coastline that was devastated by the resultant Tsunami. Although the company’s infrastructure wasn’t damaged, company officials expressed great concern over the family and friends of its employees, who were in the path of the natural disaster.

Locally, Takahata Precision America is operating normally and doesn’t expect any measurable negative effect from the disaster. “90 to 95% of our business comes from domestic orders,” commented Thompson. The company may experience some minor delays of goods and materials because of logistic problems; however, the company’s global network, which includes operations in China, India, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, should be capable of handling any problems arising from the situation in Japan.

Meanwhile, the announcement of the pending expansion injects new life into the local economy, which has been likewise devastated by the global recession. “We’re encouraged by the announcement and hope it signals a shift in the current employment situation in Scott County,” commented Mayor Jeff Tibbals. Tibbals attributed the procurement of the new jobs to the Industrial Development Board of Scott County, and especially member John Seale, who has been working closely with plant officials to facilitate the expansion. Tibbals, on behalf of the county, expressed his deep concern for the citizens of Japan, especially those associated with company. “Our hearts are heavy because of the cataclysmic events that have occurred in recent days in Japan, and our thoughts and prayers are with the Japanese people,” he added.

Takahata Precision America specializes in high-precision mold design and manufacturing, especially plastic injection molding parts from the automotive industry.