Governor Gilmore announces Japanese company to invests $1.8 million
Richmond - Governor Jim Gilmore today announced that Usui International Company, UIC, will expand its Chesapeake facility creating 25 additional jobs. The company will also invest $1.8 million in the facility.
"The fact that existing industries are expanding is a positive economic indicator for Virginia," said Governor Gilmore. "This announcement, which is occurring in the midst of the 25th Southeast-U.S. Japan Annual Joint Meeting in Norfolk, further solidifies Virginia's international business appeal."
Usui International Corporation was incorporated in the U.S. in 1985 in Michigan. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Usui Sangyo Kaisha Ltd. located in Mishima Japan. Usui Kokusai is privately held and had $350 million sales for 1999. UIC had a total of $52 million of sales in the same year.
UIC supplies products such as diesel fuel lines, brake lines, cooling fans and fan drive clutches to its customers which include Ford Motor Company, Cummins, John Deere, Detroit Diesel, and Subaru-Isuzu. With corporate and sales offices located in Plymouth, Michigan, UIC opened the Chesapeake factory in September of 1990. The major product line manufactured in Chesapeake is diesel fuel lines, and soon to include brake line bundles and fuel line bundles.
Bill Atteberry, General Manager of Usui International's Chesapeake facility, credited Virginia's many advantages for the company's decision to grow there. "The primary reason for Usui's original decision to locate to Chesapeake was the Port of Virginia, the area's excellent transportation infrastructure and proximity to Usui's customers. Our decision to stay and continue to grow was made easy by the readiness and quality of the local workforce and Chesapeake's overall high quality of life."
"We are very pleased with Usui's decision to expand within the Commonwealth as it will increase the number of jobs they provide," said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Barry E. DuVal. "Nearly 100 companies with Japanese affiliations are located in Virginia and have invested almost $5 billion in the Commonwealth. These same companies employ more than 12,000 Virginians."
The Virginia Economic Development Partnership and the City of Chesapeake assisted Usui International Company with its decision. The company qualifies for workforce training services through the Department of Business Assistance.
Mayor William E. Ward stated "the strength of our community lies within the expansion and growth of our existing industries. This vote of confidence to expand in Chesapeake by Usui International helps to validate our economic development efforts."