It's all in the family as AWA-LA customer event is held at FTTA

A select group of Aisin Aftermarket customers from North and Latin America were guests of the Aisin LA office recently at a Ride & Drive event co-hosted by FT Techno of America in Fowlerville, Mich.

The customers, all Warehouse Distributors, who annually stock and distribute thousands of Aisin Aftermarket parts, were treated to superb Michigan summer weather, a Detroit Tigers baseball game, and an opportunity to drive on a variety of test tracks at the 875-acre Fowlerville Proving Grounds.

"We wanted to let our customers experience a variety of vehicles equipped with Aisin products," said Chuck Pariano, senior manager, AWA LA, who coordinated the event. "At the same time, it gave us an excellent opportunity to showcase our very impressive OEM proving ground and facility. And our customers were impressed, indeed, according to the positive feedback we've received."

Participants could drive any of nine vehicles in the lineup including a Chevy Camaro SS, Fiat 500, Saturn Sky, and a Lexus ISF, among others.

AWA's Rene Ocegueda, manager, Latin American Sales, said the event and facility demonstrated the strength of the Aisin brand.

"All of our customers invested a fair amount of travel time to participate in this event, but wouldn't have done so if they didn't believe in our products," said Ocegueda. "This was our day to shine and show our customers the true breadth of our company. It was a good day, and valuable experience."

Prior to the activity on the track, a business meeting was held in FTTA's conference facilities. The group was then given a safety presentation by FTTA's Mike Benjamin, before being escorted to the track for the Ride & Drive.

Following the day's activities, the activity moved to the historic Smith House located on FTTA property for an evening cookout. The Smith House is over 100 years old, and is registered as a Michigan Historic Landmark. The Smith family sold its property and farmland to Aisin in 2005 as the proving grounds were being developed.

"All in all, this was a great experience and provided everyone an opportunity to learn more about Aisin, our products, along with new products for future delivery into the Aftermarket," added Pariano. "The talk, networking, social interaction, Ride & Drive, and relaxing barbecue dinner all came together for an extremely productive couple of days."

Hattori Racing visits AWA

As a primary sponsor of Hattori Racing, Aisin, along with Advics and Aisin AW, continue to support the team, and its current winning record, as part of the NASCAR K & N pro series.

Aisin’s relationship with Shigeaki Hattori is approaching its 10th year, and while sponsorship development is a year-round job and often a difficult task, team owner Hattori says the greatest challenge is attracting and keeping good people on the team.

“We have nine full time employees, and a total of 18 people on the team,” says Hattori, who’s been racing since he was 12 years old. “We’re always looking for good people, and good drivers.”

During a recent visit to AWA and ATC-A, Hattori introduced one of his team’s two drivers, 19-year-old Brett Moffitt (above, left) to AWA and ATC-A team members.

“I started racing go karts when I was 11, and just kept racing as I got older,” says Moffitt of Grimes, Iowa. “I’ve really enjoyed working with Hattori-san and the team, and learning about Japanese culture.”

Last month at the Samuel 150 at CNB Bank Raceway in Clearfield, Pa., Moffitt won start-to-finish-to-win, and is the current leader in the K & N Pro Series.

Most recently, he finished second in the race held July 28 at Columbus Motor Speedway, a 75 lap NASCAR late model feature. The race was attended by ADVICS NA President and COO, Takahiro Goshima, and AWA President of Sales & Marketing, John Koenig, and his wife, Cindy.

The HRE mission is to give young drivers a chance to develop their talents and gain experience in quality equipment used by a skilled and knowledgeable team. A championship driver himself, Hattori earned the Formula Toyota title in Japan in 1994 then moved to the US in 1995, where he competed in the Indy Racing League’s Indy Lights and Indy Car Series. Hattori also raced in the Toyota Atlantic Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.

Photo by Tressie Davis

ATC-A receives TEMA award

Technology & Development Award means "Best of the Best" for ATC-A

Aisin Technical Center of America (ATC-A) today announced that it has received the "Technology and Development Award" from Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America (TEMA).

The award was presented to ATC-A because of significant cost and mass reduction for its tilt and inner slide sunroof program supplied to Toyota for its Camry model.

"We are proud to receive this honor from TEMA, which recognizes our ongoing efforts to provide quality components and technology advancements, while reducing costs," said Takashi Aoyama, president, ATC-A.

Aoyama said Aisin views Toyota as a true partner, and is pleased to play a role in the production of some of the greatest vehicles in the world.

"Aisin has received a number of quality awards from customers over the years, and each one is very special to all of us within the Aisin family," added Aoyama. "We are pleased to be acknowledged for our sunroof systems, and delighted to receive this award from TEMA.”

Aisin celebrates first NA plant

With temperatures climbing to over 100 degrees, more than 100 people gathered in the shade of a white tent to help celebrate the anniversary of Aisin's first plant located in North America: Aisin USA Manufacturing (AUM).

Established in 1987 in rural Seymour, Ind., AUM today is the area's leading employer with more than 1,700 team members, and a plant that has grown to more than one million square feet.

Among the well-wishers in the crowd, which included city and county officials, and members of the local economic development council, were the real stars: 67 team members who have been with AUM for 25 years, who were asked to autograph a vehicle door frame commemorating the achievement and event.

"Without you, I don't believe AUM could have achieved its 25 year anniversary," said AHA/AWA President Masayasu "Mike" Saito. "My heartfelt appreciation goes to you all."

Saito-san pointed out that over 25 years of operations, AUM manufactured products worth $8.2 billion; made capital investments of more than $550 million; produced 60 million door frames and 20 million seats.

"Knowing that these products have been installed in the cars and trucks that right now are running across North America… I feel so happy and proud," he added.

Saito-san said he is confident that plants like AUM will help Aisin achieve its North American sales goal of $3 billion by 2020.

“What’s most important is to become an irreplaceable partner to our customers. By producing quality parts for the vehicles that are safe and comfortable to ride, at such production plants that are safe and comfortable to work at, we hope to continue making contributions to our local communities.”

AUM President Keith Warf also congratulated the team members in attendance and presented each with a commemorative gift. He said he’s proud of those who put so much into the company to see its success, especially during critical periods.

"It's been a real pleasure for me to work with both American and Japanese team members here at Aisin," said Warf.

"I am proud to be an Aisin member myself, but more proud of the team members working here as they truly are our most valuable assets. They are the ones who keep Aisin going and growing through hard work, hard times, dedication, and commitment to safety and quality."

The program concluded with a special presentation of a gift to Aisin Seiki Chairman Kanshiro Toyoda: a framed sketch from AUM team member and artist Bill Jones, the 10th employee hired at AUM.

Former Seymour Mayor Bill Bailey, who was among the original, local team to help bring Aisin to the area, said after the celebration he had a lot of confidence in the company’s plans in the early days, and knew it would have a positive influence on the community.

“However, I had no idea about how big the influence would be, or that it would continue to have such an influence on the community,” Bailey said. “Aisin is definitely a good corporate citizen.”

SAE World Congress 2012

Aisin Group last exhibited at the annual SAE World Congress in Detroit in 2009. In recent years, Congress has become a smaller, more intimate event, far from the enormous industry trade show it once was when it featured numerous press conferences, hundreds of new products and technologies, and multi-level exhibits from Tier One suppliers like Delphi, Denso, Lear, Visteon and, of course, Aisin.

Today's SAE World Congress utilizes a fraction of the floor space at Cobo Conference Center, though it now offers features like an indoor Ride & Drive event for electric and hybrid vehicles.

Last month, 9,000 people registered for the 2012 edition, compared with 10,221 in 2011, and nearly 36,000 in 2007. Similarly, the number of technical paper presentations dropped from 2,700 in 2006, 2,533 in 2011 to 1,169 in 2012.

Despite major changes at Congress, it remains the only event of its kind in North America and provides a solid venue for technical networking and recruiting. In 2011, AWA, together with Aisin Seiki, stayed active at Congress by securing the official tote bag sponsorship.