Topre Corp. to build in Cullman

Topre President Mitsuo Kawasoko and Governor Don Siegelman await the groundbreaking ceremony that will mark the beginning construction on the company's new Cullman County facility.

    Officials met to welcome Japanese automotive supplier Topre Corporation to Cullman County recently in an event that broke new ground both literally and figuratively.
    The company made history on several fronts with their choice to locate in Cullman County. The groundbreaking ceremony marked not only the construction of the first Topre manufacturing facility in the U.S. but the beginning of Cullman County's first relationship with a Japanese company.
    The new 700,000 square-foot facility, which will manufacture automotive parts and components, represents a $132 million investment on the part of Topre, a first-tier supplier to automotive companies such as Honda .
    Officials called the recruitment of Topre on behalf of Cullman and Cullman County a joint effort between many different agencies, offices, representatives of state and local government and individuals.

"The City of Cullman and Cullman County bonded together in a great economic development effort," said Eddie Canaday of the City of Cullman Industrial Development Board. "It's a great day for Topre and a great day for Cullman."

    Dr. James C. Bailey, president of Wallace State College and Chairman of the Cullman County Industrial Development Board, described the recruitment effort in a similar fashion, choosing also to point out the role of the county's legislative delegation.
    "It's another success story resulting from the boards' efforts," Bailey said. "The members of the Cullman City Council, the City departments and employees and the Cullman County legislators: Zeb (Little), Neal (Morrison) and Jeremy (Oden) all worked hard to bring this about."
    Topre Corp., named by officials present as being among the top 1 percent of Japanese companies, had many representatives present at the ceremony, including company president Mitsuo Kawasoko, who was presented with an Alabama state flag by Governor Don Siegelman.
    "Alabama is, without question, a leader in the automotive manufacturing sector - the New Economy's rising star in the southeast, in the nation and around the world," Siegelman said. "Topre Corporation brings to Alabama its worldwide reputation as a premier tier one supplier and 300 quality jobs so hard-working Alabamians can help their families obtain a better quality of life."

Gov. Don Siegelman speaks with media representatives concerning the economic impact of Topre's locating in the state of Alabama.

Kawasoko himself expressed his gratitude to the people of Cullman and Cullman County as well as the state and local officials who helped make Topre's locating here a reality.
"It would be wrong for us to continue without expressing our warm gratitude to all the people of Cullman, together with the mayor, for your kind invitation. We also thank the staff members of the many welcoming entities throughout the State of Alabama for your excellent support," Kawasoko said in his speech to the assembled crowd. "One behalf of Topre, I thank each one of you very much for your support and encouragement."

    "The situation surrounding the automotive industry grows more competitive day by day, which makes it important that we find the right base," Kawasoko said. "At first, there were many possible locations, but in the end, we selected Cullman, Alabama as the base for us to compete and succeed in the tough car industry."
    "We have no doubt in our decision to come to Cullman. We will take root in this town and achieve solid results. To achieve these goals, we will leverage the strength of the entire Topre Group to succeed in this project. In our endeavors, we promise you that we will contribute to your community as good citizens of Cullman, Cullman County and the State of Alabama."
    Kawasoko was joined by fellow Topre executives including Vice President and Executive Managing Director Takao Nagashima; Topre America Corp. President Shinichiro Uchigasaki; Topre America Corp. Sales Manager Takashi Sawa and Manager of Topre America Corp.'s American Liasion Office Katsuhiro Yamashiro.

Topre Corp. President Mitsuo Kawasoko thanks local and state
officials and the City and County Industrial Development Boards
and Agencies for their role in bringing Topre to Cullman.

Topre Corporation, founded in 1935, has more than 1,200 employees worldwide, generates $60 million in annual sales. One of the specialties of Topre's automotive branch is the manufacturing automotive parts constructed of of high-tensile steel, which is far stronger and lighter than parts made from conventional steel. The Cullman plant will produce such parts - including metal insulators, metal "center pillars" designed to protect passengers from side-impact, oil pans and seat pans - for the Tokyo-based company.

Cullman County Commission Chairman Norman "Pete" Tucker
welcomes Topre to Cullman County.

    In addition to representatives of both the Cullman County and City of Cullman Industrial Development Boards and Economic Development Agencies, local and state officials such as U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions and Rep. Robert Aderholt; Sen. Zeb Little and Representatives Neal Morrison and Jeremy Oden from the state legislature; County Commissioners Norman "Pete" Tucker, Faye Whisenant and Robert Harbison; and Cullman Mayor Don Green and members of the Cullman City Council were on hand to welcome Topre to Cullman County.
    "It's a very special community with very hard workers," said Sen. Sessions of Cullman County. "We are so proud [Topre] is here. Thank you for choosing Cullman County. We are thankful for the partnership of Japan and America represented here."
    "We are very pleased to work with you in this partnership and are looking forward to getting to know you as friends and neighbors," added Rep. Aderholt.

"It's a very significant and historical occasion," said Cullman County Commission Chairman Norman Tucker. "This occasion is the result of a joint community effort ...a tremendous effort. I'd like to welcome Topre to Alabama on behalf of Faye [Whisenant] and Robert [Harbison] and myself. We are here to help and we want to see you succeed."

"I extend a warm Cullman welcome to President Kawasoko and the Topre officials," said Cullman Mayor Don Green. "Topre is known worldwide as a quality company, and Cullman is known throughout the southeast as a premier community; I believe Cullman will be a quality member of your sales team. Business has brought us together and friendship will keep us strong."
For more information on Topre Corp., visit their website at www.topre.co.jp. For further reading, you may visit the following links:

State Pulse

The Cullman Times

The Decatur Daily

U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions addresses the assembled crowd,
expressing his hopes for the continued partnership between
the U.S. and Japan.

Additional Photos (Click to enlarge)