Ontario, Howa Canada partner for new auto parts plant
March 4, 2015
By
Alyssa Dalton
Mar. 4, 2015 – Ontario is partnering with Howa Canada to establish a new auto parts plant in Alliston, Ont., creating 40 new jobs in the process.
The $1-million-plus investment from the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund will support facility upgrades and specialized equipment at the new “state-of-the-art” manufacturing plant, which will supply interior trim components for the 2016 Civic built at the Honda assembly plant.
While Howa Textile Industry Co. has operations in the U.S. and Asia, this will be the company’s first manufacturing facility in Canada.
“Today’s announcement underscores the value of our comprehensive approach to partnering with the auto industry, with a strong focus on quality and innovation, as we work to secure new investments and product mandates,” said Brad Duguid, minister of economic development, employment and infrastructure.
“Our company is excited by the opportunity to build on our 60 years of manufacturing heritage with our first location in Canada,” continued Tatsuya Usami, president of Howa Canada Manufacturing. “As we develop our skilled team and advanced production plant in Alliston, we look forward to working closely with our auto industry customers to exceed their expectations and deliver the very best interior trim products possible.”
The province is in the top two in North America for vehicle production and is the only sub-national jurisdiction to have five major global automotive assemblers: Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Honda and Toyota, as well as truck manufacturer Hino.
