Each year, the Alabama Department of Commerce releases its "New and Expanding Industry Report" containing information about new projects and capital investment across the state. This report can be found on the department's website, madeinalabama.com. In 2021, Japanese companies invested $158,565,000 with 6 new projects and 257 new jobs created. JASA recognized the 2021 New and Expanding Japanese companies in our Annual Celebration Dinner which was held on October 20th, 2022 at the Westin Huntsville.
The recognized companies are listed below in alphabetical order. Please contact us if you have questions about these companies.
Type: Expanding County: Chambers City: Cusseta Business Activity: Manufactures & Distributes Auto Parts Jobs Created: 45 Capital Investment: $14,900,000 Founded in 1946, HI-LEX stands alone for having conducted research that has expanded the developmental stages of creating new and innovative technologies. These new technologies have proven to be of exceptional quality and reliability while promoting and maintaining creative designs, functionality, and ease for our ultimate customer- the driver. HI-LEX is proud to have received industry-wide recognition for its superior quality, technology, price, and delivery of Mechanical Control Cables, Window Regulators, Door Modules and Power Closure products. With facilities in many countries worldwide, HI-LEX is globally represented in all major automotive markets. Annually producing over 10 million automotive cable applications and window regulators, HI-LEX also remains one of the top market leaders in cable applications for recreational vehicles such as boats, ATV, personal watercrafts, motorcycles, and golf carts. |
Type: Expanding County: Morgan City: Decatur Business Activity: Developer & Manufacturer of Fluorochemical Products Capital Investment: $28,000,000 Daikin America was established in 1991 and today is the world’s foremost developer and manufacturer of fluorochemical products. While our foundation is global, our relationships are local. At Daikin America, our technical service and support staff in 30 locations in TX, FL, NY, CA, KY, MN, AL, MA are committed to meet your existing and future needs. We are your personal contacts and suppliers in the United States. With concern for the global economy and environment, our commitment is to develop products that do more with less – less waste, less energy, less material – yet produce increased performance and greater longevity. Our advanced engineering and technical expertise is backed by experienced service and support. Better chemistry, easier process, higher performance – that’s Daikin America. |
Type: Expanding County: Colbert City: Muscle Shoals Business Activity: Automotive Headlight Assembly Jobs Created: 100 Capital Investment: $15,000,000 Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, Koito Manufacturing is the parent company of North American Lighting. As a Koito Group Company, NAL operates according to kaizen management principles, which means we manage, measure and improve everything we do. That’s how in 35 short years, NAL has grown to become the leading tier one supplier of automotive lighting systems in North America. Our vision is to dramatically improve roadway safety by developing innovative lighting technologies that enhance driver vision and response time. We are a team continuously working to bring our vision to light. |
Type: Expanding County: Lee City: Opelika Business Activity: Vitamin and Dietary Supplement Production
Jobs Created: 97
Capital Investment: $7,965,000 Pharmavite is an American dietary supplements company founded in 1971 by a California pharmacist who believed there had to be a better way to be healthy than relying on prescriptions. Through science and innovation, Nature made vitamin brand was created to provide consumers with pharmaceutical grade vitamins to support nutrition and better health. Our Opelika facility employs almost 600 employees and manufacturers tablets. soft gels. and gummy vitamins for Nature Made. Nature Made is the #1 pharmacist recommended vitamin supplement brand and Exists To Bring The Gift Of Health To Life to everyone. Pharmavite’s parent company is Otsuka, based in Japan. |
Type: Expanding County: Fayette City: Fayette Business Activity: Disposable PPE Nitrile Single Use Gloves Capital Investment: $81,000,000 ‘Showa’ means “finding a balance between different elements” in Japanese. SHOWA® is a fully integrated manufacturer of industrial hand protection. We work with the very latest in technological advancements with a renewed focus on creativity and innovation.
SHOWA’s commitment to domestic manufacturing is stronger than ever. Our company is currently adding 4 high-speed monorail lines to our Fayette, AL operation. This increase in capacity will allow SHOWA to supply even more frontline workers across various critical industries with USA-made products utilizing domestic materials and our USA workforce. For 50 years, SHOWA has employed American workers and provided reliable supplies of essential PPE (single-use Nitrile) gloves to local, state, federal, and military entities across the United States. Our commitment to American-made excellence and to creating good jobs for Americans is unwavering. |
Type: Expanding County: Cullman City: Cullman Business Activity: Automotive Metal Stamping Jobs Created: 15 Capital Investment: $11,700,000 Since its beginning in 1935, our company, Topre Corporation, has been advancing its core technologies—namely, metal press forming technology and die design technology. Today, we apply these technologies in supplying various high-performance components and products to different industries, including automobiles, temperature-controlled logistics, air conditioning systems, and electronic equipment. All earn high praise from our customers. Topre America Corporation is a Japanese owned industry leader in metal stamping and assembly technologies. We are a 3 shift Tier One Suppler to the Automotive Industry with 5 plants located in AL, MS TN, and OH. Our Corporate headquarters in Cullman, AL is our largest campus with just under 1,000 employees. |
Address 2081 Columbiana Rd #10 Vestavia Hills, AL 35216 |
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