SOUTHFIELD, Mich. – DENSO this week celebrated the opening of its new thermal assembly plant and warehouse facility in Urbandale, Iowa. The new facility, named DENSO Manufacturing Michigan Iowa Plant (DMIA), represents a $500,000 investment and seven new jobs. The company said it expects to expand to 20 employees and nearly double its production within two years.
The new Urbandale facility assembles cooling modules for the agricultural and construction industries, and handles pass-through products, such as radiator assemblies and cooling modules for the construction, agriculture and electric power industries. The plant is localizing products that were previously assembled in the United Kingdom for U.S. customers.
This latest announcement is part of DENSO’s recent expansion initiative to invest nearly $2 billion in North America – more than $750 million dollars in the United States – to strengthen and expand its product development and manufacturing capabilities across the region.
DENSO executives and local city officials celebrated DMIA’s grand opening yesterday in a ribbon cutting ceremony. Guests attending the celebration included Urbandale Mayor Bob Andeweg, DENSO International America President and CEO Howard Sugi, DENSO Manufacturing Michigan President John Kumagai, DENSO Marston President David Hanson (U.K.) and DMIA Plant Manager Paolo Vercelli, among other local and company officials.
“While this is an extension of our existing thermal operations in Michigan and in the U.K., this is very much an Iowa facility,” said Howard Sugi, president and CEO of DENSO International America, at today’s celebration. “DENSO has been in Iowa since 1974, when we opened our first facility in Cedar Falls, mainly to support heavy-duty, off-highway engine management and others.”
He added, “We are excited about the opportunities we see in the years ahead for our new site in this community and for DENSO’s heavy-duty business in Iowa.”
“This opportunity to put down roots and grow could not be possible without the strong support of the Greater Des Moines Partnership, the city of Urbandale and the Urbandale Development association,” Vercelli said. “We are also grateful for the warm welcome and assistance we’ve received from the Urbandale Chamber of Commerce. DENSO’s motto is, ‘Protecting lives, preserving the planet and preparing a bright future for generations to come.’ We look forward to sharing this bright future here in Urbandale.”
