Weastec Receives R&D Research Grant
National Harbor, Md. – Today at the SelectUSA Investment Summit at National Harbor, Maryland, Weastec, Inc. President and CEO Yasuhiko “Nick” Ida announced the company will invest more than $3 million to expand its Technical Center in the Columbus Region and evolve the technological advancements in the automotive industry. Weastec, which designs and develops vehicle electrical components, plans to immediately add 20 engineering, technical and administrative jobs.
U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, JobsOhio Senior Managing Director of Automotive Kristi Tanner, and Columbus 2020 Managing Director, Global Trade & Investments Deborah Scherer joined Ida for the signing of a certificate of recognition following the announcement.
The company plans to use the investment to enhance its Dublin, Ohio, facility with capabilities to conduct R&D and testing that are currently only being done at its Japanese headquarters. Weastec will add new equipment, upgrade technology infrastructure and provide workforce training at the Dublin location. The company also has a manufacturing and distribution facility in Hillsboro, Ohio.
“We are excited to bring new technology and capabilities that have only been available in our Japan facilities to our Dublin location,” said Ida. “The rapid changes in the automotive and vehicle industries are driving new opportunities for us in the United States, and the timing is right for us to invest in our operations here in the Columbus Region.”
Weastec has been in Dublin since 2005, and currently employs 184 people at both Ohio locations. It operates as a subsidiary of Japanese company TOYODENSO Co., Ltd., and is one of its satellite design and development centers. Weastec received a research and development center grant from JobsOhio to support its expansion in the Columbus Region.
“We’re thrilled about Weastec’s continued successes in Dublin, and to be able to support the expansion of a company with such a long history in our region,” said Dublin City Manager Dana McDaniel. “Our ability to continue to attract and grow high tech companies and support them with skilled talent validates the culture of innovation in Dublin.”
“Toyodenso’s groundbreaking research is creating the next level of interface between human passengers and the vehicles that they ride in,” said Tanner. “We and our partners at Columbus 2020 are excited to see some of this new R&D come to Weastec, which strengthens the company’s presence in Ohio.”
The Columbus Region is at the forefront of automotive technology and smart mobility as the U.S. Department of Transportation Smart City and nation’s living laboratory for the advancement of smart transportation. The Region’s manufacturers produce 700,000 cars a year, with an economic input that exceeds $1.4 billion annually. Nearly 18,000 employees make up the highly skilled manufacturing workforce, making the region’s automotive share of employment four times greater than the U.S. average.
JobsOhio. “Weastec Inc. Invests $3 million New Research, Development and Testing in Ohio.” JobsOhio.com. https://jobsohio.com/news/posts/weastec-inc-invests-3-million-for-new-research-development-and-testing-in-ohio/.