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Columbus, OH – G-Tekt North American Corporation, which manufactures and sells auto body frame components, heavy gauge precision stamped parts, dies and welding equipment, has announced it will invest $28.6 million in the Columbus Region with the addition of a manufacturing and research and development (R&D) facility adding more than 100 new jobs.
G-Tekt chose the Columbus Region as the home for its new manufacturing and R&D facilities because of the Region’s competitive workforce; central location and proximity to the North American auto industry, including Honda; and Ohio’s competitive business climate.
“The Columbus Region rose to the top of our location search because of its strategic proximity to automotive companies like Honda, and convenient access to a skilled workforce fit to staff our manufacturing and R&D operations,” said Toshitsugu Kikuchi, president, G-Tekt Corporation. “We look forward to expanding our North American presence in the Columbus Region.”
Slated for completion in first quarter of 2014, the new 173,000 square-foot, state of the art manufacturing facility will serve as the hub for a new hot stamping product that G-Tekt is not currently producing in the U.S. The facility, which will be located in the Village of West Jefferson, will bring 23 jobs to the Region.
“We are honored that G-Tekt chose the Columbus Region, and West Jefferson, specifically, for the site of its new manufacturing facility,” said Darlene Steele, mayor, Village of West Jefferson. “The addition of skilled manufacturing jobs is a welcome boost to our local economy, and a win for the entire Columbus Region.”
Expected to generate 77 jobs, the new R&D facility will be used to develop, design and work collaboratively with G-Tekt’s six other North American facilities to introduce and improve products destined for the U.S. market. The R&D facility will be located in Jerome Township, near Plain City in Union County.
“G-Tekt will join an established network of manufacturing companies that employ nearly 80,000 Ohioans and contribute $9.1 billion in economic output in the Columbus Region,” said John Minor, JobsOhio President and Chief Investment Officer. “Having G-Tekt locate its newest operations here further strengthens Ohio’s robust manufacturing base.”
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About G-Tekt Corporation
Headquartered in Japan, G-Tekt Corporation manufactures and sells auto body frame components, heavy gauge precision stamped parts, dies and welding equipment to clients including Honda, Toyota, Subaru, Mazda and Nissan. The company employs nearly 6,000 people across the globe, including North American subsidiaries in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. For more information, visit G-Tekt.
About Columbus 2020
Columbus 2020 is a public-private partnership that leverages the strengths of the Columbus Region’s talented workforce, small and large businesses, research and academic institutions, and international connections to ignite economic growth and build a healthier, more sustainable future for Central Ohio. The initiative grows our economy by ensuring that our existing companies are growing and thriving, that the world’s leading companies are attracted to the 11-county region, that innovations are cultivated and commercialized, and that our civic infrastructure is continually improving to meet the challenges of a rapidly evolving world economy. For more information, visit ColumbusRegion.com.
Contact:
Kenny McDonald
614-225-6063