Global automotive supplier DENSO to open facility in Montgomery, bring 45 jobs

Global automotive supplier DENSO Corporation announced Wednesday that it will open a new assembly plant warehouse in Montgomery. The facility will employ 45 workers and represents a $2.2 million investment.

DENSO is a leading global automotive supplier of advanced technology, systems and components in the areas of thermal, powertrain control, electronics and information and safety. Its customers include all the world's major carmakers.

"First we'd like to thank our North American customers because when they grow and expand, it allows DENSO to grow and expand. It's always been DENSO's core operating philosophy to be close to our customers in the regions in which we operate," said Hikaru "Howard" Sugi, president and CEO of DENSO International America, Inc. "We're proud to extend our network and welcome Montgomery into the DENSO family."

The Montgomery facility is scheduled to begin operations in April 2014. It will support the warehousing and shipping of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) units and other parts for its North American customers.

"We're excited to welcome DENSO to Alabama and are honored they selected Montgomery as their home," said Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce Chairman of the Board Horace Horn Jr. "Once again, a global organization has chosen to invest in our community because our city, county, state and chamber leadership have partnered to make the River Region valued as an excellent place to do business."

The DENSO facility will be located on Smothers Road in Montgomery at an existing 103,000-square-foot warehouse that the company will lease.

"It's another great day for the city of Montgomery as we begin our new venture with DENSO," said Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange. "This is one more example of a world-class company deciding to establish roots in Montgomery, and we look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship."

Montgomery County Commission Chairman Elton N. Dean Sr. added, "Montgomery County and the River Region have a great friend and partner in DENSO, and we will do everything we can to support this company and ensure its success."

DENSO joins Montgomery's growing list of new and expanding industries that year to date have created more than 900 new jobs and totaled nearly $235 million in capital investments.

"We are grateful to the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce, the City of Montgomery Industrial Development Board, the Montgomery County Commission and all the city and state officials who have helped pave the way for this new facility," said DENSO's Director of Warehousing Operations Mike Bowman.

DENSO is headquartered in Kariya, Aichi prefecture, Japan. Worldwide the company has more than 200 subsidiaries and affiliates in 36 countries and regions (including Japan) and employs approximately 130,000 people. In the U.S. alone, DENSO employs more than 10,000 people in California, Michigan, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia, Iowa, Ohio and Arkansas.

DENSO's North American consolidated sales totaled $6.8 billion for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2013.

INFORMATION SOURCE: Montgomery Chamber of Commerce