Toyota Raises First Steel Column On $15 Million Expansion At North American Manufacturing Headquarters

.March 31, 2004
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Toyota Raises First Steel Column On $15 Million Expansion At North American Manufacturing Headquarters

North American Commitment Extends As Toyota Begins Lab Expansion

Erlanger, KY - Toyota's North American manufacturing headquarters is growing as the first steel column was placed this week to expand the automaker's quality and production engineering laboratory.

When it is completed in June, the 98,400 square-foot expansion will serve as Toyota's center for parts, components and materials testing, warranty-claims analysis, and integrating suppliers into design and manufacturing processes. Toyota employs more than 850 people at its Erlanger headquarters office. The headquarters oversees various activities for Toyota's manufacturing operations throughout North America - such as production, purchasing and quality-enhancement.

"This facility will strengthen Toyota's North American quality systems," said Gary Convis, executive vice president, Toyota Motor Manufacturing North America, Inc. "With our increasing North American manufacturing operations, the lab's functions also grow," he added.

Convis said the expansion is an example of Toyota's continued growth in North America. Presently, three new manufacturing facilities are under construction in San Antonio, Texas; Jackson, Tenn.; and Baja California, Mexico. By 2006, Toyota will have the capacity to build 1.66 million vehicles and 1.29 million engines each year at 13 manufacturing and parts facilities in North America.

Toyota is investing $15.6 million in the North American manufacturing headquarters expansion. Turner Construction is general contractor and SSOE, Inc., is providing architectural services. Both firms are from Cincinnati.

Kevin Martin, Toyota's general manager for field quality assurance, said the testing and analysis that occurs in the lab is crucial to Toyota. "We perform a variety of tests and analyses of raw materials, parts and components involved in our North American production - all supporting Toyota's renowned commitment to quality," Martin said.

Overall, Toyota employs more than 36,000 people throughout North America. The company's direct investment is over $16.7 billion. Purchases of parts, materials, goods and services from North American suppliers total more than $20 billion per year. Vehicles produced in North America include the Avalon, Camry, Corolla, Matrix, Sienna, Solara, Sequoia, Tacoma, Tundra and the Lexus RX 330.

(March 25, 2004)

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