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Manufacturing: President Iwata, Honda of America Mfg., Announced $98 Million Investment

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:43:00 -0800

President Iwata, Honda of America Mfg., Announced $98 Million Investment

Manufacturing: Honda’s Anna, Ohio Engine Plant Manager Discusses New Engines

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:43:00 -0800

Honda’s Anna, Ohio Engine Plant Manager Discusses New Engines

Manufacturing: Honda will build new continuously variable transmission in Ohio

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 07:30:00 -0800

Honda will build new continuously variable transmission in Ohio

Manufacturing: Honda to Invest $98 Million in Anna Engine Plant for Production of Advanced Transmission Components

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 07:30:00 -0800

Honda announced today that it will invest $98 million at its Anna, Ohio engine plant as part of a strategy to build the company's next-generation powertrain technologies in Ohio. The move is aligned with a $120 million investment, announced last year, for the production of a new continuously variable transmission (CVT) in Russells Point, Ohio.

The Anna Engine Plant will manufacture high-tech pulley components for Honda's new CVT technology, which is part of the new Honda 'Earth Dreams' powertrain technology lineup, to be deployed for the first time in the U.S. in the all-new, more powerful and fuel-efficient 2013 Honda Accord.

Honda will produce its technically advanced CVT on a new assembly line at Honda Transmission Mfg. of America, Inc. in Russells Point. The modernization and expansion of the Russells Point transmission plant, along with the new pulley component production at the Anna plant, will create 150 new jobs.

Since November 2010, Honda has announced new investments exceeding $500 million in its two auto plants and two powertrain plants in Ohio.

"For decades, our two Ohio powertrain plants have worked together to deliver advanced products for our customers," said Hide Iwata, president and CEO, Honda of America Mfg., Inc. "The production of this new CVT technology puts the Buckeye State right in the middle of Honda's global strategy."

The new transmissions will debut in the all-new 2013 Honda Accord models that will come to market later this year. The Accord for the U.S. market is built only in Ohio at the Marysville Auto Plant.

"Applying Honda's new Earth Dreams Technologies in the production of engines and transmissions will greatly enhance the driving performance of Honda vehicles, and help us achieve fuel economy leadership in every segment over the next three years," said Iwata.

While the Anna plant prepares for its production launch, the nearby Russells Point transmission plant will proceed with CVT production this summer. These transmissions require highly sophisticated pulley components. Initially, these components will be supplied from Honda operations in Japan, before CVT production for U.S. models is taken up by the Anna plant in 2013.

"Our associates have incredible experience and we are counting on them to help us introduce an even higher level of powertrain technology for our customers," Anna Engine Plant Manager, John Spoltman, said. "The new CVT technology will be mated with Honda's new Earth Dreams 2.4-liter direct-injection engine, which will also be produced here at the Anna Engine Plant."

Earth Dreams technology defines Honda's next-generation engine and transmission strategy to realize advanced levels of both performance and fuel efficiency. Introduction of the new CVT for mid-size cars, will improve fuel economy by approximately 10 percent compared with the current five-speed automatic transmission.

The new component production operation at Anna will utilize 84,000 square feet of plant space for lathing, heat-treating, grinding and subassembly of precision CVT pulley systems. With the capacity to manufacture 1.18 million V-6 and four-cylinder engines annually, the Anna Engine Plant is the largest automobile engine factory in Honda's global production network.

At the Russells Point transmission plant, CVTs will be manufactured on a sophisticated assembly line that is being constructed as part of a $70 million, 200,000-square-foot expansion of the facility. An additional $50 million is being invested in a 75,000-square-foot expansion of the facility for additional aluminum casting operations to support the CVT assembly line.

Honda Transmission Mfg. of America currently employs 1,050 associates. In addition to automatic transmissions, the Russells Point plant also manufactures four-wheel-drive systems. Both plants manufacture the precision steel parts for engines and transmissions, and four-wheel-drive components.

Today's announcement continues a series of major initiatives by Honda in its Ohio operations. In January, the Acura luxury brand revealed that the all-new Acura NSX supercar will be developed in Ohio and built at a new manufacturing operation in central Ohio. And since November 2010, Honda has now announced more than $500 million in investments for advanced technologies and systems at it four existing Ohio plants.

Other major initiatives now underway include construction of on-site parts consolidation centers at Anna and East Liberty, a sophisticated new stamping press at the Marysville Auto Plant, and several major projects at East Liberty to expand assembly lines, implement new paint technologies and consolidate vehicle quality operations.

About Honda Manufacturing in Ohio
Based on Honda's longstanding commitment to "build products close to the customer," Honda began operations at its first U.S. auto plant nearly 30 years ago, on November 1, 1982, in Marysville, Ohio. Honda now has the capacity to build 680,000 automobiles annually at its two auto plants in Marysville and East Liberty, Ohio.

Honda employs more than 13,500 Ohioans. The company's total investment in its extensive operations in the state exceeds $8 billion.

In addition, in 2011 Honda purchased nearly $6 billion in parts and materials from more than 150 Ohio suppliers, and more than $16 billion in parts and materials from 600 domestic suppliers in North America.

Honda has seven auto plants in North America have the capacity to manufacture 1.63 million automobiles annually, using domestic and globally sourced parts. More than 80 percent of the Honda and Acura products sold in the U.S. are built in North America.

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For more information, contact:
Ron Lietzke at Honda of America Mfg.: 937-441-0968
ron_lietzke@ham.honda.com

Connect with Honda of America, and Acura and Honda brands:
Honda of America Mfg., Inc. (Press Room): www.ohio.honda.com
Acura Media Newsroom (for journalists): www.acuranews.com
Honda Media Newsroom (for journalists): www.hondanews.com

Manufacturing: Honda's Continuously Variable Transmissions Undergo Leak Testing

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 07:30:00 -0800

Honda's Continuously Variable Transmissions Undergo Leak Testing

Manufacturing: New Acura NSX Supercar to be Built in Ohio and Developed in the U.S.

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 11:40:00 -0800

Acura today announced at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit that an all-new Acura NSX supercar will be manufactured in Ohio. In addition, the new sports car will be developed in the U.S., including the Ohio Center of Honda R&D Americas, Inc. (HRA).

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. President and CEO Takanobu Ito unveiled a concept version of the Acura NSX today in Detroit. Although Acura is keeping most of the vehicle's details under wraps, the new NSX will employ a lightweight chassis, a mid-mounted V-6 engine and Acura's innovative new Sport Hybrid SH-AWD (Super Handling All Wheel Drive) system. Ito said the new supercar will come to market within three years.

Along with unveiling the NSX concept, Ito announced that it will be built in Ohio. Honda plans to produce the new supercar near its current auto production operations in central Ohio at a unique, advanced manufacturing operation. The original Acura NSX was built at Honda plants in Japan from 1990 to 2005.

"Honda associates are up to the challenge of producing the new NSX for global customers with a high degree of craftsmanship," said Hidenobu Iwata, head of Honda's North American manufacturing operations and president of Honda of America Mfg., Inc. "Honda associates in Ohio have been building high-quality Honda and Acura vehicles for nearly 30 years, so this news in many ways is a culmination of their determined efforts."

A team from HRA Ohio Center will lead the continued design and development of the new vehicle. Headquartered in Torrance, Calif., Honda R&D Americas has major research and vehicle development operations in the Raymond, Ohio center, where much of the work on the NSX will take place.

"We have a rich history of creating innovative new products for our customers in the U.S. and in markets around the world," said Hiroshi Takemura, president of Honda R&D Americas, Inc. "The responsibility to develop the all-new Acura NSX demonstrates the maturity of our organization, the know-how of our associates and their ability to create an advanced and innovative supercar."

About Honda Manufacturing in Ohio
Based on Honda's longstanding commitment to "build products close to the customer" Honda opened its first auto plant in the U.S. nearly 30 years ago, on November 1, 1982, in Marysville, Ohio. Today, Honda builds more cars and light trucks in the state of Ohio than all other automakers combined. Honda has the capacity to build 680,000 passenger cars and light trucks at its two auto plants in Marysville and East Liberty, Ohio.

The company's Anna, Ohio, engine plant, with capacity of 1.18 million units, is the largest automobile engine factory in Honda's global production network. Honda also manufactures automatic transmissions in Russells Point, Ohio.

Honda currently employs more than 13,500 Ohioans and has invested more than $8 billion in its extensive operations in the state. In addition, Honda annually purchases nearly $7 billion in parts and materials from more than 150 Ohio suppliers and more than $17.5 billion in parts and materials from more than 600 North American suppliers.

Honda has seven auto plants in North America with the overall capacity to manufacture 1.63 million automobiles. Using domestic and globally sourced parts, approximately 90 percent of the Honda and Acura products sold in the U.S. are built in North America.

About Honda R&D in Ohio
Honda began auto research and development in Ohio in 1985. Today, the Honda R&D Americas, Inc. Ohio Center is engaged in complete product creation, encompassing everything from market and technology research to engineering design, prototype fabrication and testing, local parts procurement, and support for mass production.
Honda's U.S. R&D operations have developed 24 new models and are responsible for six vehicles in the company's current U.S. product portfolio—the Honda Odyssey minivan, Pilot SUV, Ridgeline pickup, and the Acura TL, MDX and ZDX luxury-performance automobiles.

About Acura
Acura offers a full line of technologically advanced performance luxury vehicles through a network of 272 dealers within the United States. The 2012 Acura lineup features six distinctive models including the RL luxury performance sedan, the TL performance luxury sedan, the TSX sports sedan and Sport Wagon, the turbocharged RDX crossover SUV, the MDX luxury SUV and the ZDX four-door sports coupe.

For more information, contact:
Ron Lietzke at Honda of America Mfg.: 937-441-0968
ron_lietzke@ham.honda.com

Gary Robinson at Acura Public Relations: 310-783-3165
Gary_robinson@ahm.acura.com

Connect with Acura and Honda brands:
Acura Media Newsroom (for journalists): www.acuranews.com
Honda Media Newsroom (for journalists): www.hondanews.com

Manufacturing: New Acura Sedan to be Built at Award-winning Plant in Greensburg

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 05:58:00 -0800

Honda Manufacturing of Indiana, LLC (HMIN) today announced that it will be the exclusive manufacturer of the Acura ILX, an all-new luxury sedan going into mass production in Indiana in the spring of 2012. The new Acura ILX sedan will be positioned at the gateway to the Acura lineup and will be offered with both gasoline and gas-electric hybrid powertrain options. The new Acura ILX will be Acura's first-ever hybrid model, as well as the first Acura model to be produced in Indiana.

"Building this all-new Acura vehicle as the exclusive global source is a big responsibility for our associates," said HMIN President Jun Nishimoto. "I am very proud of what our Indiana team has accomplished in such a short time, and we have great confidence in our ability to produce a world-class luxury vehicle that exceeds the expectations of Acura customers."

The Acura ILX will join the TL sedan, ZDX crossover vehicle, and the MDX and RDX sport-utility vehicles as the fifth Acura model produced exclusively in North America. Acura finished second among all luxury brands in the J.D. Power and Associates' 2011 Initial Quality Study.

HMIN was recognized earlier this year for its outstanding quality as one of only three automobile plants globally to earn a Platinum Award for outstanding quality based on the results of J.D. Power and Associates' 2011 Initial Quality Survey℠ (IQS). The plant recently added nearly 1,000 associates to support the move to two-shift production, which started on Oct. 24, 2011, doubling the plant's capacity to 200,000 vehicles per year. The Acura ILX will be the first hybrid vehicle to be made in America at a Honda plant. Gasoline engines for the new Acura ILX will be produced at the Anna, Ohio, engine plant of Honda of America Mfg., Inc.

Acura will unveil a concept version of the new ILX sedan at the 2012 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit during media preview days, Jan. 9-10, 2012. Acura also will debut a new RDX sport-utility vehicle and a concept version of the next-generation Acura NSX supercar at the show, as it moves to further strengthen its product lineup with new products, new technologies and a sharper brand focus.

About HMIN

Honda Manufacturing Indiana, LLC (HMIN) in Greensburg, Ind., began operations with production of Civic Sedans in October 2008. HMIN added production of Honda's natural gas-powered Civic Sedan in May 2009, and began producing Civic for export to markets outside North America in September 2009. With employment of approximately 2,000 associates and capital investment exceeding $550 million, HMIN started operations as a zero-waste-to-landfill factory, meaning no waste is sent to landfills, and maintains one of the lowest environmental footprints of any automobile plant in Honda's global production network.

About Honda in America

Next year, Honda will celebrate 30 years of producing automobiles in America. Based on Honda's longstanding commitment to build products close to the customer, Honda currently operates 14 manufacturing facilities in North America, producing a wide range of Honda and Acura automobiles, automobile engines and automatic transmissions, Honda all-terrain vehicles, and Honda power equipment products, such as lawn mowers, mini-tillers and general purpose engines. Honda products are made in North America using domestic and globally sourced parts.

Today, the company has four auto plants in the U.S. and seven in North America with a new auto plant under construction in Celaya, Mexico, which will begin producing subcompact cars in 2014. Honda's total automobile production capacity in the region, currently at 1.63 million vehicles per year, will grow to more than 1.87 million vehicles annually in 2014. In 2010, more than 87 percent of the Honda and Acura products sold in the U.S. were built in North America, using domestic and globally sourced parts.

About Acura

Acura offers a full line of technologically advanced performance luxury vehicles through a network of 272 dealers within the United States. The 2012 Acura lineup features six distinctive models including the RL luxury performance sedan, the TL performance luxury sedan, the TSX sports sedan and Sport Wagon, the turbocharged RDX crossover SUV, the MDX luxury SUV and the ZDX four-door sports coupe.

Connect to Honda:
Honda News & Views: http://www.honda.com/news
Honda Multimedia Newsroom (for media only): http://www.hondanews.com
Honda in America: http://www.hondainamerica.com
Honda on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/americanhonda
Honda on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/honda
Honda on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/honda
Honda on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/hondanews
Honda Web Site: http://www.honda.com

Manufacturing: Disconnecting High-Bay Lights at Honda

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 06:25:00 -0800

Disconnecting High-Bay Lights at Honda

Manufacturing: Honda Building Management System

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 06:25:00 -0800

Honda Building Management System

Manufacturing: Honda New Instrument Panel Paint Line

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 06:25:00 -0800

Honda New Instrument Panel Paint Line

Manufacturing: Saving Energy, Honda Plants Earn 2011 ENERGY STAR

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 06:20:00 -0800

Two Honda auto plants in Ohio have earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's 2011 ENERGY STAR due to the company's ongoing efforts to operate energy-efficient facilities. This marks the fifth consecutive year that both Honda auto plants in Ohio, in Marysville and East Liberty, have earned this recognition.

The EPA bases the award on the amount of energy needed to produce an automobile, taking into account factors such as vehicle size and production volume. Electricity and natural gas represent 95 percent of total energy consumption in the production of automobiles. Honda has ongoing conservation initiatives to minimize the environmental impact from the use of fossil fuels, including a reduction of CO2 and other greenhouse gases.

"Improving the energy efficiency of Honda factories is the single biggest focus of the company's efforts to reduce the environmental impact of our operations," said Karen Heyob, leader of Honda's environmental initiatives at Honda of America Mfg. "Virtually every Honda associate is involved in conserving energy use in our plants."

Established in 1982, the Marysville Auto Plant employs more than 4,000 associates who produce* all the Honda Accord sedans and coupes sold in America, as well as the Acura TL and Acura RDX models. With 2,500 associates, the East Liberty Auto Plant (ELP) pioneered the use of waterborne auto painting and returnable parts containers when it started production in 1989. Today, ELP is the primary production site for the Honda CR-V and Honda Crosstour.

Honda's energy-reduction efforts range from real-time monitoring of electricity use to advanced compressed air management programs. For example, the company mounted aggressive programs to eliminate air leaks in compressed air systems, and to optimize the use of compressed air by reducing pressure. In addition, real-time monitoring helps identify equipment that can be turned off when production isn't taking place during breaks, between shifts and on weekends.

At the Marysville Auto Plant, Honda's highest volume auto plant in North America, centralized steam used for heat and humidification was replaced with more efficient localized systems. A new "fog" humidification system for the plant's painting operations is 80 percent energy efficient and automatically shuts off when not needed.

A major paint renovation at the East Liberty plant has reduced the size of automobile painting booths by 43 percent and streamlined operations by reducing the number of painting robots. With completion of this four-year project in 2012, the resulting savings in heating and electrical power consumption will reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 10,000 tons annually.

The East Liberty plant also recently completed installation of a new instrument panel paint line that utilizes benchmark coating and energy conservation technologies. The new line doubles paint transfer efficiency compared with the old system and additional energy savings comes from recycling 90 percent of the conditioned paint booth air.

A Building Management System at the Marysville facility is programmed to automatically shut off building functions when not needed, including pumps, chillers, air compressors, lights and air-handling systems. In addition, the plant has disconnected 1,071 high-bay lights in areas where illumination no longer is needed, reducing CO2 emissions by 611,000 kilograms annually.

Honda Environmental Leadership

Honda announced earlier this year that it has achieved one of the most important targets in the company's longstanding "Green Factory" initiative in North America: zero-waste-to-landfill. Ten of 14 Honda manufacturing plants in North America are now operating with zero waste to landfill, while the remaining four plants are functioning with "virtually zero" waste to landfill.

In addition, Honda Engineering North America, Inc.'s Powertrain Division in Anna, Ohio, and Honda Canada, Inc.'s new head office in Markham, Ontario, each earned LEED "greenbuilding" certification, bringing to 11 the number of LEED-certified Honda facilities in North America, the most LEED-certified buildings of any automaker.

Honda has been steadily expanding its portfolio of LEED-certified green buildings in North America since 1999, when the company's Gresham, Oregon, parts warehouse and service training facility became the first mixed-use industrial building in America to achieve LEED-Gold EB (Existing Building) certification.

Honda also is a leader in the development of leading-edge technologies to improve fuel efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions, including vehicles powered by advanced gasoline engines and natural gas-powered engines, as well as gasoline-electric hybrid, battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell-electric vehicles.

In 2006, Honda became the first automaker to announce voluntary CO2 emissions reduction targets for its global fleet of automobile, powersports and power equipment products. Honda exceeded those 2010 targets by reducing CO2 emissions in each category by more than 10 percent.

Today, the company is striving for even greater reductions in CO2 emissions that contribute to global climate change. Honda this year announced new global goals for 2020 that include a targeted 30 percent reduction in CO2 emissions from its automobile, motorcycle and power equipment products, as compared to 2000 levels.

About Honda in North America

Honda opened its first auto plant in the U.S. in 1982, in Marysville, Ohio, and today has the capacity to build 1.63 million automobiles at its seven auto plants in North America. In 2010, more than 87 percent of the Honda and Acura products sold in the U.S. were built in North America, using domestic and globally sourced parts.

Last year, Honda purchased more than $17.5 billion in parts and materials from more than 600 North American suppliers.

Connect to Honda:

Honda News & Views: http://www.honda.com/news
Honda Multimedia Newsroom (for media only): http://www.hondanews.com
ASIMO on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/asimo
ASIMO on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/asimo
Honda on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/honda
Honda on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/hondanews
Honda Web Site: http://www.honda.com

*From domestic and globally sourced parts.

Manufacturing: Honda to Invest $84 Million and Add 100 Jobs to Increase Annual Production to 340,000 Vehicles and Engines

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 15:25:00 -0800

Honda Manufacturing of Alabama, LLC (HMA) marked its 10th anniversary of the start of production by announcing today that it would invest an additional $84 million, hire 100 new full-time associates and increase annual production capacity to 340,000 vehicles and engines. Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley and other local and state officials helped Honda associates celebrate the 10-year milestone.

Combined with previous investments announced earlier this year, Honda is investing a total of $275 million and adding 140 total jobs to increase manufacturing flexibility and production capacity in Alabama. The newest $84 million investment is tied to the addition of the Acura MDX luxury sport utility vehicle to the company’s existing production lineup of the Honda Odyssey minivan, Honda Pilot SUV, Honda Ridgeline pickup truck and the V-6 engines that power each vehicle.

“Numbers and milestones measure results, but it is our people – our Honda associates – who are the driving force in all of our accomplishments in Alabama,” said Tom Shoupe, HMA president. “This new investment in our Alabama facility will enhance our production flexibility and better position Honda to meet customer demand for our lineup of fuel-efficient passenger cars and light trucks.”

HMA began production with the Honda Odyssey on Nov. 14, 2001. With today’s announcement, HMA’s annual production capacity will increase by 40,000 units to 340,000 vehicles and engines by 2013. Honda’s cumulative investment in its Lincoln facility will total more than $2 billion by 2013. HMA employs more than 4,000 associates.

The $84 million investment will add a third stamping line to the existing two stamping lines which have the capability to produce vehicle body parts of both steel and aluminum. The more than $190 million in investments HMA announced earlier this year includes construction and equipment investments to improve manufacturing flexibility and production capacity.

About Honda
Honda opened its first auto plant in the U.S. in 1982, in Marysville, Ohio, and today has the capacity to build 1.63 million automobiles at its seven auto plants in North America. In 2010, more than 87 percent of the Honda and Acura products sold in the U.S. were built in North America, using domestic and globally sourced parts. Last year, Honda purchased more than $17.5 billion in parts and materials from more than 600 North American suppliers.

Manufacturing: Honda Manufacturing of Alabama

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 15:24:00 -0800

Honda Manufacturing of Alabama

Manufacturing: Honda Manufacturing of Alabama President Tom Shoupe

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 15:22:00 -0800

Honda Manufacturing of Alabama President Tom Shoupe

Manufacturing: Honda Manufacturing of Alabama

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 15:20:00 -0800

Honda Manufacturing of Alabama

Manufacturing: Honda Manufacturing of Alabama

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 15:17:00 -0800

Honda Manufacturing of Alabama

Manufacturing: Statement by American Honda Motor Co., Inc Re: Impact of Thailand Flooding on Honda's Automobile Operations in North America

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 08:00:00 -0700

The Honda family of companies in North America would like to express its deepest sympathy and concern for the victims of the devastating floods in Thailand and the sincere hope for the earliest possible relief and recovery from the damaged areas.

As the flooding in Thailand continues, a number of Honda suppliers in Asia currently are unable to maintain parts production, which is disrupting the flow of parts to our production operations in North America. To better manage the available parts supply in North America and globally, effective November 2, Honda will take the following actions:

Honda will temporarily adjust automobile production at all six Honda auto plants in the U.S. and Canada. Currently, it is anticipated that this situation will require adjustments for the next several weeks.
Auto production will be at approximately 50% of the original plan through Nov. 10. Subsequent adjustments will be announced as they are determined based on the parts supply situation.
All Saturday overtime work will be canceled through November.
A non-production day is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 11.
The December on-sale date of the all-new 2012 Honda CR-V could potentially be delayed by several weeks. The on-sale date will be announced in the near future.

In 2010, 87 percent of the Honda and Acura automobiles sold in the United States were produced in North America. While the vast majority of parts and materials used to produce these products are purchased from suppliers in North America, a few critical electronic parts are sourced from Thailand and other regions of the world. Honda is working closely with its suppliers in Thailand and throughout its global network to reestablish the flow of parts for the products made in North America.

As in the past, Honda remains focused on minimizing the impact to its associates and their families and plans no layoffs at any of its North American facilities. Non-production days will continue to be treated as “no pay, no penalty,” meaning Honda associates can report to work, use a vacation day, or take the day off without compensation or penalty.

Honda deeply regrets any inconvenience this may cause to its customers, and is working closely with its suppliers and operations throughout the world to overcome this situation.

Contacts: Jeffrey A. Smith in Los Angeles, 310-781-5442, or Ed Miller in Detroit, 313-202-3150

Manufacturing: Honda Auto Plant in Indiana Begins Second Shift of Production

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 06:30:00 -0700

Honda Manufacturing of Indiana, LLC (HMIN), which produces the popular Civic Sedan and alternative-fuel Civic Natural Gas, today began a second production shift for the first time, which increases production at the plant to its full 200,000-unit annual capacity and adds approximately 1,000 new associates to Honda's operations in Indiana.

The addition of a second shift at HMIN follows the return to normal production levels at all seven of the Honda automobile plants in North America, following the disruption of parts supplies as a result of the March 11, 2011, earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

HMIN was recognized earlier this year for its outstanding quality as one of only three automobile plants globally to earn a Platinum Award for quality based on the J.D. Power and Associates 2011 Initial Quality Survey℠ (IQS). Earlier this month, the plant began production of the redesigned 2012 Civic Natural Gas, the only OEM-made natural gas vehicle available for retail purchase in America.

"We are taking an important step forward in the realization of our dream," said HMIN President Jun Nishimoto. "Our associates have made this one of the highest quality plants in the world, and now we have the opportunity to share their commitment to excellence with even more Honda customers. It's a great day for Honda in Indiana."

Hiring of new associates began in June, with specific training taking place over the past several months in virtually every major production process, including stamping, welding, painting, plastic injection molding, sub-assembly and final assembly operations.

The production expansion at HMIN also has resulted in additional business growth and employment opportunities for numerous suppliers to the plant. Parts for Indiana-built Civics are supplied from 225 companies in the U.S. and Canada, including 20 suppliers in Indiana, 28 in Michigan, 18 in Kentucky, 13 in Texas, 10 in Tennessee and 74 in neighboring Ohio. In addition, Ohio is home to Honda's engine plant in Anna, which produces engines for Indiana-made Civics, and its plant in Russells Point, which manufactures automatic transmissions for Civic models.

Honda has the capacity to build 1.63 million automobiles at its seven auto plants in North America, which combined have nine assembly lines. In 2010, more than 87 percent of the Honda and Acura products sold in the U.S. were built in North America, using domestic and globally sourced parts. Honda opened its first auto plant in the U.S. in 1982, in Marysville, Ohio, meaning the company will mark its 30th anniversary of U.S. auto production next year.

About HMIN

Honda Manufacturing Indiana, LLC (HMIN) in Greensburg, Ind., became Honda's fourth auto plant in the U.S. and its seventh in North America when it began production of Civic Sedans in October 2008. The plant marked production of its 100,000th Civic in February 2010. With employment approaching 2,000 associates and capital investment exceeding $550 million, HMIN today produces the Civic Sedan and Civic Natural Gas, including Civics for export to markets outside of North America. HMIN started operations as a zero-waste-to-landfill factory, meaning no waste is sent to landfills, and maintains one of the lowest environmental footprints of any automobile plant in Honda's global production network.

Connect to Honda:
Honda News & Views: http://www.honda.com/news
Honda Multimedia Newsroom (for media only): http://www.hondanews.com
Honda on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/americanhonda
Honda on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/honda
Honda on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/honda
Honda on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/hondanews
Honda Web Site: http://www.honda.com

Manufacturing: Honda Transmission Mfg. Invests Additional $50 Million to Expand Ohio Aluminum Casting Operations

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 11:37:00 -0700

Building on a series of recent investments at Honda manufacturing facilities across the state of Ohio, Honda Transmission Mfg. of America, Inc. today announced a $50 million expansion to increase capacity for the casting of aluminum transmission cases. This latest project brings Honda's total new capital investment in its Ohio operations to more than $400 million, and more than $8 billion since the company started manufacturing in the state in 1979.

The 75,000-square-foot expansion at the Russells Point plant will house high-pressure die-casting operations to support the addition of a third transmission assembly line that began construction in December 2010. The new assembly line announced earlier, part of a 200,000-square foot plant expansion, will increase the plant's capabilities to manufacture Honda's latest transmission technologies.

The two projects together will create more than 100 jobs by 2013 as production begins at these two new operations. In addition, earlier this year, Honda Transmission added 60 new jobs to support the start of a second shift to produce automatic transmissions for the all-new 2012 model Honda Civic.

"This latest investment in Ohio is another example of how we intend to meet the needs of our global customers by implementing advanced technologies in our production operations and in our products," said Honda Transmission President Yuji Takahashi. "It also demonstrates our commitment to Honda's Ohio production operations to reduce the environmental impact of our facilities while positioning this facility to compete at the highest levels on a global basis."

The expansion will house advanced aluminum casting machines to support production of Honda's latest transmissions, and introduces an efficient melting furnace to the plant's operations. Honda Transmission now receives approximately 100,000 pounds of molten aluminum per day from two aluminum mills in Indiana.

"The new melting furnace will implement technologies that will improve efficiencies and reduce our environmental impacts," said Plant Manager Gary Hand. "These improved efficiencies will reduce waste and energy consumption."

Already a zero waste-to-landfill facility, Hand adds that the plant will continue reusing and recycling all leftover materials from its operations, sending no waste to landfills.

The investment also includes construction of a new associate entrance, along with a new lobby entrance and activity center, at the south end of the facility. When completed, Honda Transmission's extensive casting, machining, forging and assembly operations will encompass 1 million square feet.

These projects are the latest in a series of investments at this state-of-the-art transmission facility. Earlier this year, Honda Transmission completed a $25 million renovation of the plant's aluminum machining lines, steel gear production, and to increase flexibility on the current assembly lines. These modifications resulted in adding domestic production of six-speed automatic transmissions this year for some Honda Odyssey models.

Since starting production of automatic transmissions in 1996, Honda Transmission has steadily expanded to keep pace with Honda's growth in the new passenger car and light truck model segments. Production of transmission gears was added in 2006 and four-wheel-drive assemblies in 2007. Those projects, which doubled the plant's size, localized production of most steel gears and four-wheel-drive assemblies for Honda's North America operations.

Honda Transmission currently employs approximately 1,000 associates who manufacture transmissions and four-wheel-drive assemblies for automobiles produced at the Marysville and East Liberty auto plants in Ohio, as well as other plants in North America. The impact of Honda Transmission's production extends to some 50 domestic suppliers that provide more than 500 parts for the plant's production.

Other Major Honda Construction In Ohio

Since November 2010, Honda has undertaken a series of plant innovation projects in Ohio exceeding $355 million. These projects are central to Honda's future in Ohio and its ability to compete globally.

Construction is under way on a 155,000-square-foot expansion at the East Liberty Auto Plant for new door and instrument panel sub-assembly lines, and extension of its automobile assembly line. Additionally, construction began this year on a 40,000-square-foot expansion to consolidate the plant's Vehicle Quality Department.
At the Marysville Auto Plant, a new stamping press is under construction that will increase the speed, precision and capacity of the plant's metal-forming capabilities. The $64 million project encompasses 24,000 square feet in the plant.
On-site parts consolidation centers under construction at the Anna Engine Plant and East Liberty plant will improve efficiency by reducing parts handling and truck shuttles.
Beginning operations in early 2012, the $31 million consolidation center at the Anna plant, encompassing 320,000 square feet, will eliminate approximately 2.8 million pounds of CO2 emissions per year by reducing truck traffic.
The 396,000-square-foot center at the East Liberty facility will eliminate 2.5 million pounds of CO2 emissions per year - when fully operational in 2014.

More About Honda's Ohio Operations

Since starting auto production in 1982 using domestic and globally sourced parts, Honda has produced more than 14 million vehicles at it's two Ohio auto plants. In Anna, Ohio, Honda's largest auto engine plant in the world manufactures four-cylinder and V-6 engines for automobile production in Ohio, Indiana and Canada.

In addition to its manufacturing operations, Honda has established substantial R&D and engineering operations in Ohio, along with a large regional parts distribution center and other operations that support product development, manufacturing and sales in North America. Among all its operations, Honda directly employs approximately 13,400 Ohioans and tens of thousands more through its suppliers and other business partners.

Honda purchased $6.7 billion in parts from 150 Ohio suppliers last year, and a total of $17.5 billion in parts purchases from nearly 600 domestic suppliers in North America.

Manufacturing: Honda Transmission Expansion

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 11:35:00 -0700

Honda Transmission Expansion

Manufacturing: Honda Transmission Expansion

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 11:35:00 -0700

Honda Transmission Expansion

Manufacturing: Honda Transmission Expansion

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 11:32:00 -0700

Honda Transmission Expansion

Manufacturing: Honda Transmission Expansion

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 11:32:00 -0700

Honda Transmission Expansion

Manufacturing: Honda to Build New Automobile Plant in Mexico for Production of Subcompact Vehicles, Starting in 2014

Fri, 12 Aug 2011 08:00:00 -0700

Honda de Mexico, S.A. de C.V., (HDM), Honda's production and sales company in Mexico, today announced that it will build an automobile plant for production of fuel-efficient subcompact vehicles for the Mexican and North American markets. Honda will invest approximately US$800 million to build the plant, which is scheduled to begin operation in 2014.

Expected to employ approximately 3,200 associates at its full annual capacity of 200,000 units, the plant will occupy a 5.66 million square meters site in a suburb of Celaya, Guanajuato, about 210 miles east of HDM's two existing plants in El Salto, Jalisco, which build automobiles, motorcycles and auto parts.

The new Honda plant will apply Honda's advanced and highly efficient manufacturing system to produce vehicles and engines. By increasing use of local parts and materials, together with global parts sourcing, the new plant will provide customers with high-quality products at an affordable price.

The plant will be the eighth Honda auto plant in North America - and its 10th auto assembly line - and will boost Honda's capital investment in its North American operations to nearly US$21 billion. Honda employs more than 33,000 associates in North America. Production operations related to automobiles include four auto plants, two auto engine production facilities and two transmission plants in the United States, two auto plants and an auto engine plant in Canada, and an auto plant in El Salto.

The new plant in Mexico will increase Honda's automobile production capacity in North America from the current 1.63 million units to 1.83 million units in 2014. In 2010, more than 87 percent of Honda and Acura cars and light trucks sold in America were produced in North America.

"With growing demand for fuel-efficient vehicles, this plant will increase Honda's ability to meet customer needs for subcompact vehicles from within North America," said Tetsuo Iwamura, president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. and chief operating officer for Honda's North America Region. "This new plant will further strengthen the foundation of Honda's North American business by enabling Honda to more flexibly respond to changing market conditions from within the region."

In North America, Honda produces global models such as Civic, Accord and CR-V as well as region-specific light truck models including the Odyssey and Pilot. The smallest automobile currently produced by Honda in North America is the compact Honda Civic, which is built at Honda plants in Indiana and Ontario, Canada.

In addition to the new auto plant in Mexico, Honda recently announced plans to expand production at several of its plants in the U.S. and Canada:

The Honda plant in Greensburg, Ind., which builds the Civic Sedan and Civic Natural Gas vehicle, will add a new second shift in October of this year.
The Marysville, Ohio, auto plant which builds the Accord Sedan and Coupe, and the Acura TL, will reinstate second-shift production on Line 1 by the end of 2011, returning to full, two-shift production for the first time since January 2009.
In Canada, Alliston Plant 1, which builds the Civic Sedan, Civic Coupe, Civic Si coupe and sedan, and the Civic HF, will return to full, two-shift operations in September. In May, the plant consolidated its two shifts into one-shift operation to cope with parts supply issues following the earthquake in Japan.

Honda will make a significant commitment to limit the environmental impact of the new plant in Mexico. The new plant will employ advanced methods of energy and emission reduction with the goal to become a "zero waste-to-landfill" factory. Already, Honda has 10 zero waste-to-landfill plants in North America, with four more operating with virtually zero waste-to-landfill, including the two existing plants in Mexico.

Further, every major Honda plant in North America has met the ISO 14001 international environmental management standards except the new auto plant in Indiana, which is now working toward certification.

About Honda de Mexico

HDM was established in September 1985, and began sales of motorcycle products in 1987. In March 1988, HDM started production of motorcycle products and automobile service parts in El Salto, Jalisco. An adjacent auto production plant opened in 1995 with production of the Honda Accord, switching to production of the Honda CR-V in 2007. HDM's current annual auto production capacity is 60,000 units.

Honda auto sales in Mexico have been growing steadily with increasing market demand in Mexico. In 2010, sales of Honda and Acura brand automobiles totaled approximately 40,000 units in Mexico - an increase of 7 percent from the previous year.

About Honda Manufacturing in North America

Based on Honda's longstanding commitment to "build products close to the customer" Honda currently operates 14 manufacturing facilities in North America, producing a wide range of Honda and Acura automobiles, automobile engines and automatic transmissions, Honda all-terrain vehicles, and Honda power equipment products such as lawn mowers, mini-tillers and general purpose engines.

Honda started local production in the U.S. in 1979 with motorcycle production. In 1982, Honda became the first Japanese automaker to produce passenger cars in the U.S. Honda has continued to expand its local production capabilities, and cumulative automobile production in North America surpassed 22 million units in 2010. Honda products are made in North America using domestic and globally sourced parts.

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About Honda Plants in Mexico

	Existing Auto Plant/Motorcycle and Parts Plant	New plant
Location	El Salto, Jalisco, Mexico	Celaya, Guanajuato, Mexico
Employment	Approximately 2,500 associates (as of April 2011, including sales division)	Approximately 3,200 associates (at full-capacity production)
Production capacity	Automobile: 60,000 units/ year Motorcycle: 6,000 units/ year MUV: 4,500 units/year Automobile sheet-metal parts: 1.4million units/ year Automobile bumpers: 1 million units/ year	Automobile: 200,000 units/ year
Lot size	Approximately 1.32 million m²	Approximately 5.66 million m²
Production models	Automobile: CR-V Motorcycle: Beat100, CGL125 Tool Multi Utility Vehicle: Big Red	Automobile: subcompact passenger vehicles (plan)

About Honda de Mexico, S.A. de C.V.

Establishment	September 1985
Head office location	El Salto, Jalisco, Mexico
Sales office location	Mexico City (delegacion Benito Juarez),
Capital Investment	257.16 million Mexican pesos (US$77 million)
Representative	Isamu Yamaki, President
Business	Production and sales of motorcycles, multi-utility vehicles (MUVs), automobiles, and service parts Import and sales of motorcycles, ATVs, automobiles, power equipment products
Dealership locations (as of April 2011)	Motorcycle: 113 locations Automobile: 119 locations Power equipment: 233 locations

Manufacturing: Honda 2011 Digital FactBook

Thu, 21 Jul 2011 15:34:00 -0700

Honda 2011 Digital FactBook

Manufacturing: Honda 2011 Digital FactBook

Thu, 21 Jul 2011 15:33:00 -0700

The 2011 Digital FactBook is an annual report which provides an overview of Honda's global operations, as well as detailed historical and up-to-date information concerning Honda's sales, manufacturing and R&D operations in North America. This report includes a general chronology which highlights the significant milestones in Honda's corporate history.

The 2011 Digital FactBook includes the following:

Corporate directory of key locations and contacts by region
Overview of worldwide operations, sales network and 2010 production
Overview of North America (N.A.) operations and subsidiaries
History of Honda/Acura vehicle introductions in the U.S., Honda/Acura vehicle and industry sales data for N.A.
List of N.A. manufacturing facilities and information on automobile, motorcycle and ATV/PWC production
Summary of N.A. R&D/Engineering facilities
Summary of exports of N.A. made Honda products
Overview of South America operations, subsidiaries, manufacturing facilities and R&D centers
Overview of Europe/Middle East/Africa operations, subsidiaries and manufacturing facilities
Overview of Japan operations, subsidiaries, R&D centers and manufacturing facilities
Overview of Asia/Oceania operations, subsidiaries and manufacturing facilities
Overview of China operations, subsidiaries and manufacturing facilities
Chronology of corporate milestones

Manufacturing: Honda Recognizes Top Suppliers in North America

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 09:05:00 -0700

Acknowledging its strong network of more than 600 Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and Service Parts suppliers in North America, Honda recognized 128 top-performing companies for excellence in key areas of operation, including quality, value, efficiency and delivery.

OEM suppliers provide parts to Honda factories for the production of new Honda and Acura models. Honda supplier awards to OEM suppliers go to companies that have achieved superior performance in one or more of three categories: Quality, Delivery and Value. Fifty-nine OEM suppliers received awards for their performance in 2010.

"Honda has established a strong partnership among its suppliers in North America to continually improve performance in ways that have a positive influence on the products we build for our customers," said Tom Lake, Division Manager of Honda's North American Purchasing Division. "We appreciate that even during tough economic times they made efforts to enhance their business for the future, while establishing a culture among their associates to strive for perfection."

Honda's Service Parts suppliers meet the needs of Honda and Acura customers for maintenance and repair after the sale by providing high quality service parts at competitive prices delivered in a timely manner.

"It's our bottom-line objective to exceed our customers' expectations each and every time they need a part," said Bruce Smith, vice president of Honda's service parts division. "These award-winning suppliers have made important contributions to our goals for the quality, value and on-time delivery of Honda and Acura service parts."

OEM Supplier Awards
Fifty-nine OEM suppliers received awards for excellent performance in at least one of three categories: Quality, Value and Delivery. Seventeen OEM suppliers achieved top-level performance in more than one category. Asama Coldwater Mfg., Inc., of Coldwater, Mich., had the distinction of receiving awards in all three categories, earning them the Triple Award: Excellence in Delivery, Quality and Value. (For a complete list of recipients, click the PDF download above.)

In addition to operational performance, Honda annually recognizes one supplier for its commitment to social responsibility with the Honda Corporate Citizenship Award. Nissin Brake Ohio, Inc. of Findlay, Ohio, received the award this year for its leadership in the areas of health and safety, diversity, community involvement, ethics and compliance, and the environment.

Lake also expressed appreciation for the efforts of Honda's North American supply base to deal with the disruption of parts supply from Japan following the Great Northeast Japan Earthquake. "Our suppliers have shown great resiliency at dealing with reduced production levels," Lake said. "As parts supply stabilizes, we are looking forward to working with our suppliers to quickly ramp up production of vehicles for our customers."

Honda's North American suppliers have played a critical role in the launch of new products in the past year, including the newly refined 2012 Acura TL and the completely redesigned 2011 Honda Odyssey, both models designed, developed and manufactured exclusively in North America, along with the all-new 2012 Civic. The 2011 Honda OEM supplier award recipients represent all areas of North America, with concentrations near Honda plants in the U.S. Midwest, Southeast and East, as well as in Ontario, Canada and Mexico.

Honda's North American parts suppliers support manufacturing at 14 Honda plants in North America, producing a diverse range of products including Honda and Acura automobiles, automobile engines and automatic transmissions, Honda all-terrain vehicles, and Honda power equipment products such as lawn mowers, mini-tillers and general purpose engines. With parts purchases from OEM suppliers totaling $17.5 billion last year, the domestic content of Honda automobiles averages 80 percent. Further, in 2010, 87 percent of the Honda and Acura automobiles sold in the United States were produced in North America.

Service Parts Awards
Sixty-nine Service Parts suppliers received awards for top-level performance in 2010. Service Parts suppliers were rated on their performance in quality, cost, and delivery. Distinct from the OEM supplier awards, an overall score is based on the combined performance in all three categories. Winners achieved top combined scores. (For a complete list of recipients, click the PDF download above.)

The commitment to excellence by American Honda service parts suppliers is reflected in the 2010 Carlisle & Company survey of automotive parts managers, which ranks Honda first among all automotive brands in the category of Parts Availability and first among non-luxury brands (#2 overall behind Mercedes Benz) in Overall Satisfaction.

American Honda provides service and accessory parts for nearly 19 million Honda and Acura automobiles in operation in the United States today, managing a national network of warehousing and distribution facilities that deliver high-quality, high-value service parts to approximately 1,300 Honda and Acura dealers nationwide. Honda purchased more than $900 million in parts from its Service Parts suppliers in North America last year.
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Manufacturing: Honda North American Production to Reach 100% in August for Most Models

Thu, 26 May 2011 07:50:00 -0700

Honda today announced plans for the accelerated recovery of auto production in North America following the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Honda will increase production volume at its North American automobile plants to a rate of 100 percent of the original production plan in August, for all models except the 2012 Civic.

As the supply of parts from Japan improves, production will ramp up in August on a step-by-step, plant-by-plant, and model-by-model basis, with production returning to 100 percent of the original plan for models including the 4-cylinder Accord, CR-V and Acura RDX, as well as all V-6 models including the Accord, Accord Crosstour, Odyssey, Pilot, Ridgeline, and the Acura TL, MDX and ZDX.

Production of the all-new 2012 Civic lineup will continue at a reduced rate of approximately 50 percent due to the limited supply of key components. However, this situation continues to be evaluated and full production is expected to resume sometime in the fall, with plans to meet anticipated strong demand for the fuel efficient new Civic lineup.

"The light at the end of the tunnel is glowing brighter for us, represented by this significant improvement in our production situation," said John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "Throughout this crisis, Honda has been fighting to achieve a speedy recovery, while maintaining a focus on our longer-term plans for continued growth in sales and production in order to meet the growing needs of our customers."

Honda has managed the unprecedented parts supply issues that resulted from the devastating impact of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in Japan with no layoffs at any of its 14 production plants in North America.

"I am quite proud of the efforts of our manufacturing team and the steps they have taken to keep our team of associates together during this difficult period, while maintaining their normal, outstanding focus on quality for the customer," said Mendel. "We still have challenges to overcome, but once we have normalized operations we will owe them a great debt of thanks."

About Honda
In 2010, 87 percent of the Honda and Acura automobiles sold in the United States were produced in North America. Honda purchased more than $17.5 billion in parts and materials from OEM suppliers in 2010, putting the average domestic content of Honda automobiles at 80 percent. Honda has 14 Honda plants in North America with the capacity to produce more than three million Honda and Acura products each year, including Honda and Acura automobiles, automobile engines and automatic transmissions, Honda all-terrain vehicles, and Honda power equipment products such as lawn mowers, mini-tillers and general purpose engines. Honda products are made in North America using domestic and globally-sourced parts.

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Manufacturing: Honda Transmission Kicks Off $70M Expansion

Fri, 17 Dec 2010 15:27:00 -0800

Government and community leaders joined Honda Transmission of America Mfg., Inc. today to celebrate the start of a $70 million 200,000-square-foot expansion project that will create more than 100 full-time jobs and increase the plant's capabilities to manufacture Honda's latest transmission technologies when the new production line begins in 2012. In addition to the expansion, the company also announced that it is currently adding 60 jobs for the start of a second shift in early 2011, and that an additional $25 million in renovation projects are under way to increase plant flexibility.

Honda's investment in the plant will exceed $490 million when this latest expansion and other renovations are completed. The $70 million expansion project includes installation of a third assembly line, along with other new operations for the production of Honda's most advanced automatic transmissions, and relocation of the plant's two existing assembly lines into the new manufacturing space.

Community leaders joined Honda associates to participate in the groundbreaking ceremony for the project, called "Transmission Technology for the Future." In addition to advanced manufacturing, the project increases production flexibility for the entire plant, including improvements in overall product flow. It also will increase the plants capacity to produce more than 1 million automatic transmissions annually, from 800,000 now.

"The start of this project is recognition of the accomplishments of a great team of associates, and the strong partnerships we have established in this community," said Honda Transmission President Yuji Takahashi. "Together, we have created a solid foundation for growth into the future to meet the needs of our customers."

Prior to the ceremony, Jeff Tomko, Honda Transmission vice president and plant manager, announced that a second shift will start early next year to produce automatic transmissions for the all-new 2012 Civic that goes on sale in spring 2011. Honda manufactures Civic models for North American customers at plants in Indiana and Ontario Canada. The hiring of 60 fulltime associates is under way to prepare for the increased production.

In addition to the $70 million expansion, Honda has invested approximately $25 million to renovate the plant's aluminum machining lines, steel gear production, and increase flexibility on the current assembly lines. These modifications will result in the domestic production of six-speed automatic transmissions next year for some Honda Odyssey models, manufactured at Honda Manufacturing of Alabama LLC.

"These projects represent Honda's ongoing commitment not only to our customers, but to our neighbors and suppliers who benefit from local production of the transmissions that go into Honda automobiles," Tomko said. "We also are committed to reducing the environmental impact of these new operations. No waste will be sent to landfills, and energy will be conserved through use of energy-efficient equipment and lighting systems."

Honda Transmission initially announced its expansion plans in October during the acquisition and rezoning of 60 acres adjacent to the current facility, now occupying 196 acres. Upon completion of the expansion project, the plant's manufacturing operations will encompass 933,000 square feet.

Since starting production of automatic transmissions in 1996, the plant has steadily expanded to keep pace with Honda's growth into new passenger car and light truck models. As part of a $100 million investment, Honda Transmission added production of transmission gears in 2006 and four-wheel-drive assemblies in 2007. That project, which doubled the plant's size and created 100 jobs, localized production of most steel gears and four-wheel-drive assemblies.

The impact of Honda Transmission's production extends to some 50 domestic suppliers that provide more than 500 parts for the plant's production.

Honda Transmission currently employs 1,050 associates who manufacture transmissions and four-wheel-drive assemblies for automobiles produced at the Marysville and East Liberty auto plants in Ohio, as well as other plants in North America. The plant has the annual capacity to produce more than 800,000 automatic transmissions, 328,000 gear sets, 300,000 four-wheel-drive transfer cases and 150,000 four-wheel-drive assemblies. Honda also operates a plant in Georgia that manufactures automatic transmissions for Honda Manufacturing of Alabama.

More About Honda's Ohio Operations

Since starting auto production in 1982, Honda's two Ohio auto plants have manufactured more than 14 million vehicles. In Anna, Ohio, Honda's largest auto engine plant in the world manufactures four-cylinder and V-6 engines for automobile production in Ohio, Indiana and Canada.

In addition to manufacturing, Honda has established substantial R&D and engineering operations in Ohio, along with a large regional parts distribution center and other operations that support product development, manufacturing and sales in North America. Among all its operations, Honda directly employs approximately 13,500 Ohioans and tens of thousands more through its suppliers and other business partners.

# # #

For further information and photos on Honda's manufacturing operations in Ohio, please visit the "Press Room" at Honda of America Mfg.'s web site: http://www.ohio.honda.com

Manufacturing: Honda Suppliers Earn Environmental Achievement Awards

Mon, 15 Nov 2010 13:45:55 -0800

Honda Suppliers Earn Environmental Achievement Awards

Manufacturing: Honda Suppliers Earn Environmental Achievement Awards

Mon, 15 Nov 2010 13:42:55 -0800

As part of its global initiative to reduce the impact of manufacturing on the environment, Honda presented its prestigious Green Factory Environmental Achievement Award to eight parts suppliers in North America that have excelled at conserving natural resources, reducing energy use and eliminating waste to landfills.

Honda presented the awards during its 18th annual Environmental, Safety and Ergonomics Symposium held Nov. 10-11 at Honda of America Mfg., Inc.'s campus near Marysville. In addition to recognizing top environmental achievements, the suppliers attended seminars and roundtable sessions on environmental topics ranging from energy and waste reduction to environmental compliance.

The awards recognize environmental stewardship among Honda's nearly 600 parts suppliers in North America, and reflect Honda's ongoing commitments to protect the environment through its products and operations.

"Through this symposium and awards program, Honda encourages all suppliers to achieve excellence in energy reduction, pollution prevention and conservation of natural resources," said Rich Spivey, senior manager in Honda's North American Purchasing Division. "It is both gratifying and educational to see how our suppliers are benefitting society by working to reduce their impact on the environment."

Several award winners presented their initiatives to more than 100 suppliers attending the symposium, while many other companies attending the symposium had displays showcasing their environmental improvements.

2010 Honda Green Factory Environmental Achievement Awards

Conservation of Natural Resources

AK Steel Corp.'s Coshocton Works restored more than 10 acres into native Ohio prairie land with a walking trail. The restored property at its facility in Coshocton, Ohio, includes nesting boxes for bluebirds and purple martins, as well as native flowers and grasses. The company plans to expand the prairie to more than 20 acres in the future. AK Steel produces flat-rolled steels for the automotive, appliance construction and other industries.

Energy Reduction

Delphi Electronics & Safety, Reynosa, Mexico, significantly reduced utility usage by improving the efficiency of compressed air use, including eliminating leaks, reducing air pressure, and turning off equipment during non-production and peak periods of electricity use. This facility supplies immobilizers for Honda and Acura automobiles to prevent them from operating under certain conditions.

Highland Industries, Inc., Cheraw, S.C., reduced energy use with efficiency improvements in lighting, compressed air and steam systems. Highland supplies fabric for safety airbags.

Neaton Auto Products Mfg., Inc., Eaton, Ohio, formed an "Energy Conservation Committee" to facilitate efficient use of equipment, compressed air, air conditioning chillers and use of injection molding presses. Neaton manufactures airbag modules, steering wheels, consoles and other plastic injected molded parts.

Pollution Prevention

Celina Aluminum Precision Technology, Inc. (CAPT), Celina, Ohio, reduced wastewater treatment sludge by 58 percent by assembling a team to evaluate pre-treatment operations. CAPT manufactures pistons, cylinder heads, lower blocks and brake knuckles.

Nishikawa Standard Company, LLC, Topeka, Ind., reduced landfill waste by 83 percent through the recycling and reuse of scrap rubber. Honda is the largest customer for its weather stripping, seals and other rubber materials.

TS Trim Industries, Inc., Canal Winchester, Ohio, reduced landfill waste by more than 60 percent through various activities that included recycling metal, wood and other materials, and by reducing waste in the use of adhesives. TS Trim manufactures door liners and other components for Honda and Acura automobiles.

Van Rob Stampings, Inc., Manchester, Tenn., became a zero-waste-to-landfill manufacturing facility by recycling packaging, wrapping, office paper, cafeteria waste and other materials. Van Rob manufactures metal stamped components and welded assemblies.

About Honda in North America
Based on a philosophy to build products close to customers, Honda began U.S. production of motorcycles in 1979 and automobiles in 1982 in Marysville, Ohio. Since then, the company's manufacturing has grown to nine U.S. plants among 14 major manufacturing plants in North America. In addition to the Marysville and East Liberty auto plants in Ohio, Honda has established auto plants in Alliston, Ontario; El Salto, Mexico; Lincoln, Alabama, and Greensburg, Ind., and as a result, more than 83 percent of Honda and Acura cars and light trucks sold in the U.S. in 2009 were built in North America. Honda's parts purchasing totaled more than $13 billion last year from nearly 600 North American suppliers. Honda vehicles are manufactured using domestic and globally-sourced parts.

For more information on Honda's environmental leadership, including additional initiatives by Honda's manufacturing operations and their suppliers, go to http://corporate.honda.com/environment/2010-report/

Manufacturing: Honda Manufacturing of Indiana Receives LEED Green Building Certification for Welcome Center

Mon, 08 Nov 2010 15:05:55 -0800

Honda Manufacturing of Indiana, LLC, (HMIN) in Greensburg has received LEED Green Building Certification for its Welcome Center, the company announced today. The center is the ninth Honda facility in North America to earn LEED certification since 2008.

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a rating system for many types of building construction including new construction and is awarded by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI). The GBCI recognizes excellence in green building practice and performance globally through its third-party certification services. HMIN is the first company to receive this distinction in Decatur County.

"Honda associates are engaged in broad-based efforts to reduce the impact of our operations on the environment," said HMIN Vice President Rick Schostek. "This certification is further evidence of our commitment locally to ensure that our Greensburg plant remains at the leading edge of Honda's global "green factory" initiative."

HMIN's Welcome Center was evaluated in six categories: Sustainable Site, Water Efficiency, Energy & Atmosphere, Materials & Resources, Indoor Environmental Quality and Innovative Design.

"One of our approaches is the purchase of 100 percent green power for the Welcome Center," said Craig Lloyd, Facilities department manager. "We also installed bicycle storage and shower facilities for associates and utilized lumber from the Forest Stewardship Council for sustainable forests in construction."

Additionally, HMIN designated fuel-efficient vehicle parking in the visitor lot and has campus-wide recycling that contributed points to the LEED certification process.

Even outside of the LEED certification process, HMIN has been focused on the environment starting before the plant began mass production two years ago.

"Honda built the Greensburg plant with the environment in mind," added Schostek. "Our campus features seven lakes, two water quality ponds, and we are a zero waste-to-landfill facility, which means no waste from our plant goes to a landfill - it is either recycled or reused."

In addition, trees and earthen embankments provide a natural buffer between the plant and its neighbors in the Greensburg area.

HMIN also produces the natural gas-powered Honda Civic GX, the cleanest internal combustion engine vehicle ever certified by the U.S. EPA, along with the ultra-low emissions Civic 4-door sedan using domestic and globally sourced parts.

The Civic GX has received top environmental awards including the American Council for Energy-Efficient Economy's "America's Greenest Car" award for five consecutive years.

Honda has also demonstrated leadership in reducing waste to landfills from manufacturing activity in North America. Eight of Honda's North American plants, including HMIN, achieved zero waste to landfill, as Honda moves closer to its goal of achieving zero waste to landfill for all 14 of its plants in the region by April 1, 2011.

HMIN currently operates one shift with approximately 1,000 associates at the Greensburg plant. The 26,400 square foot Welcome Center, which is connected to the plant via a skywalk, serves as HMIN's visitor entrance and includes a lobby, auditorium, meeting rooms, locker rooms and security offices. HMIN is Honda's seventh auto plant in North America and one of 14 major Honda manufacturing facilities in North America.

For more information on Honda's environmental leadership, including a list of the company's LEED-certified buildings, go to http://corporate.honda.com/environment/2010-report/

Manufacturing: HMIN Receives Green Buildling Certification

Mon, 08 Nov 2010 15:04:55 -0800

HMIN Receives Green Buildling Certification

Manufacturing: Honda's East Liberty Plant Produces 4 Millionth Vehicle

Fri, 29 Oct 2010 13:59:56 -0700

Associates at Honda's East Liberty Auto Plant reached a milestone Friday with production of their 4 millionth vehicle, a 2011 Honda CR-V.

Since starting local auto production in 1989, seven years after Honda began auto production in the U.S. at the Marysville Auto Plant, the East Liberty Auto Plant has manufactured* a wide range of passenger cars and light trucks over the years, including the Honda Civic Sedan and Coupe, Civic GX compressed natural gas vehicle, Acura CL Coupe and Accord Sedan. The plant currently produces the Accord Crosstour and Element, as well as the CR-V models.

"This milestone is a testament to the dedication of our associates to provide the highest quality products to our customers," said Plant Manager John Mayberry. "Our team at the East Liberty plant has established a strong foundation in Ohio by continually improving our plant operations in order to exceed the expectations of our customers."

The East Liberty plant currently employs 2,400 associates and its flexible production line has the capacity to manufacture 240,000 passenger cars and light trucks per year.

With production of more than 200,000 vehicles thus far in 2010, the East Liberty plant's production is well ahead of the same period a year ago. Honda's auto plants in East Liberty and Marysville together have produced more than 490,000 passenger cars and light trucks in Ohio so far in 2010.

Capable of producing passenger cars and light truck models, associates at the East Liberty plant today manufacture the vast majority of the popular CR-V models sold in North America, and is the exclusive North American production site for the Crosstour and Element.

As with Honda's other auto, engine and transmission plants in North America, the East Liberty plant has undergone continuous innovation over the years, making it one of the most flexible and efficient plants in North America. The plant's capabilities to build larger vehicles increased with the launch last year of the Accord Crosstour, the largest and heaviest vehicle ever produced at the East Liberty plant.

The plant also achieves top quality levels, including a sixth-place ranking in the 2010 Initial Quality Survey conducted by J.D. Power and Associates.

About Honda Manufacturing in Ohio
Since starting auto production in 1982, Honda's two Ohio auto plants have manufactured more than 14 million vehicles. Honda's largest auto engine plant in the world in Anna, Ohio manufactures four-cylinder and V-6 engines for automobile production in Ohio, Indiana and Canada. Honda also operates a large plant in Russells Point, Ohio for the production of automatic transmissions and four-wheel drive systems.
In addition to manufacturing, Honda has established substantial R&D and engineering operations in Ohio, along with a large regional parts distribution center and other operations that support product development, manufacturing and sales in North America. Among all of its operations in Ohio, Honda directly employs 13,500 Ohioans and tens of thousands more through its suppliers and other business partners.

*using domestic and globally sourced parts

Manufacturing: HPPG Reaches Production Milestone

Mon, 04 Oct 2010 18:52:56 -0700

HPPG Reaches Production Milestone

Manufacturing: HPPG Reaches Production Milestone

Mon, 04 Oct 2010 18:52:56 -0700

HPPG Reaches Production Milestone

Manufacturing: HPPG Reaches Production Milestone

Mon, 04 Oct 2010 18:49:56 -0700

Associates at Honda Precision Parts of Georgia, LLC (HPPG) today reached a production milestone at 2:30 p.m. with the completion of the 1 millionth Honda transmission built in Georgia.

Production of HPPG's 1 millionth transmission comes less than five years after the start of mass production at the $150 million facility on May 12, 2006

"This is a happy and proud day for all HPPG associates, our Tallapoosa community, for Georgia and for Honda," said Masaaki Miyaji, HPPG President. "I am very proud that HPPG has established a strong culture of stable operations, timely delivery, and production of high quality products for our customers. The foundation we have built at HPPG will be the key to our future success and exceeding the expectations of our customers."

HPPG currently employs 400 associates and has the capacity to produce more than 300,000 automatic transmissions per year. Reflecting Honda's strategy to base powertrain production near vehicle production for synchronous assembly, the plant supports production of Honda Odyssey minivan, Pilot sport utility vehicle, Ridgeline pickup truck and Accord V6 sedan at Honda Manufacturing of Alabama, LLC (HMA) in Lincoln, Ala., 60 miles west of the Tallapoosa plant.

HMA is the sole North American production source of the Pilot sport utility vehicle, the Odyssey minivan, the Ridgeline pickup and the V6 engines that power each vehicle. HMA also shares production of the Accord V6 Sedan with the Marysville Auto Plant in Marysville, Ohio, and has the capacity to produce 300,000 vehicles and V6 engines per year.

Honda has manufactured more than 11 million transmissions in America since starting production of automatic transmissions in Ohio in 1989.

Manufacturing: HMA Associates Celebrate Production of Two Millionth Vehicle

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 13:47:56 -0700

HMA Associates Celebrate Production of Two Millionth Vehicle

Manufacturing: HMA Reaches Production Milestone - 2 Millionth Alabama-built Honda Rolls Off The Line

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 13:46:56 -0700

Associates at Honda Manufacturing of Alabama, LLC (HMA) today reached a production milestone at 8:28 a.m. with the completion of the 2 millionth Honda vehicle and V-6 engine built in Alabama.

The Taffeta White 2011 Pilot EXL Touring, was driven off the line by HMA associate Sandy Miller, of Oxford. Passengers in the vehicle included Honda associates: Robert Dunham, Goodwater; Michael Jones, Trussville; David Lyner, Oxford; Doris Ashworth, Goodwater; and Michael Tuggle, Gardendale.

The roll-off of HMA's 2 millionth vehicle comes less than nine years after the start of mass production at the $1.4 billion facility on Nov. 14, 2001.

"The commitment and dedication of each associate has allowed HMA to quickly reach this production milestone and meet the needs of a record number of customers," said Nobu Sanui, HMA President and CEO. "In October of 2006, we celebrated building the one millionth HMA Honda. And today, less than four years later, we have built our two millionth Honda in 'Sweet Home Alabama.'"

On Aug. 31, 2010, HMA began production of the all-new 2011 Odyssey minivan, which is scheduled to arrive at dealerships in late September. HMA employs more than 4,000 associates at its 3.5-million-square-foot Lincoln facility and has the capacity to produce as many as 300,000 vehicles and engines each year.

Manufacturing: Honda Begins Production of 2011 Odyssey Minivan in Alabama

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 17:15:56 -0700

Honda marked the start of production of the all-new, Alabama-built 2011 Honda Odyssey minivan today with an end-of-the-line celebration that included participation by more than 1,200 associates at Honda Manufacturing of Alabama (HMA).

The Odyssey minivan has been the top-selling minivan in the U.S. for the past two years and is considered the benchmark vehicle in the minivan class. The completely-redesigned 2011 Honda Odyssey improves on its already award-winning, class-leading design with a more-distinctive style, higher fuel efficiency and greater interior versatility. Improvements to the fourth-generation Odyssey represent a new Honda vision for the "ultimate in family transportation."

"In about four weeks, our Honda dealers will have this new Odyssey on their showroom floor. But I don't think it will be there for long," said Vicki Poponi, assistant vice president of product planning for American Honda Motor Co. "Whether you're driving in Oregon or Orlando, Milwaukee or Mobile - everyone in this great, glorious nation of ours will know that every 'American Odyssey' has its roots right here in Lincoln, Alabama."

Tuesday's event at the assembly line celebrated the start of mass production of the new Odyssey, which has received a total makeover for the 2011 model year. HMA is the exclusive global production source of the Odyssey minivan, the Pilot sport utility vehicle and the Ridgeline pickup. The Lincoln plant also shares production of the Accord V-6 Sedan with the Marysville Auto Plant in Marysville, Ohio and builds the V-6 engines that power each model.

"What a beautiful vehicle we have created together," said Art StCyr, chief engineer for the 2011 Odyssey at Honda R&D in Raymond, Ohio. "It's called the American Odyssey because - for the first time - the Odyssey minivan was designed, developed, and manufactured in the U.S. What a great sense of pride that brings to all of us."

The 2011 Odyssey's more-aerodynamic shape with a lower roofline contributes to class-leading fuel efficiency; yet improved interior packaging maintains similar vertical functionality as the previous model. A wider stance creates a more accommodating interior while accenting the exterior's dynamic appearance. The 2011 Odyssey will go on sale this fall at Honda dealerships across the U.S.

Also, on Friday, Sept. 3, the $1.4 billion Lincoln plant will mark another milestone with production of the 2 millionth Honda vehicle to be built in Alabama. HMA employs more than 4,000 associates and has the capacity to produce 300,000 vehicles and V-6 engines each year.