Japanese Prototype Manufacturer Opening Second Location in Northwest Ohio
A leading Japanese prototyping manufacturer has announced plans for a second facility in Northwest Ohio. TPAM will soon begin operations in Defiance, where it will invest more than $4.6 million and create at least 30 new jobs in the Northwest Ohio community.
A subsidiary of Japan-based Topia, TPAM is one of the few companies specializing in the production of all parts of the product-making process. The company provides support in the new development of automotive and other industries.
Company officials cited the strength of the regional workforce as a driving factor in TPAM’s decision to locate in Defiance. Proximity within the heart of the automotive market also was deemed significant.
“We know the quality of the workforce in Northwest Ohio … we know they have the experience and training that will help our company continue providing the best service and quality products in the market,”
– Ryo (Rambo) Iwanaga, Director of Business Development, TPAM
The need for an additional location was necessitated by continued growth generated from TPAM’s clients, including OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers. The company will bring in robotic welding equipment for prototyping and custom-volume production. The new jobs will include engineering, manufacturing, and quality control, Iwanaga said.
This Defiance announcement marks the second investment in Northwest Ohio for TPAM within the last five years. In 2018, the company opened its first North American plant in Toledo. That project, also for prototype production, brought $4 million of investment and 30 new jobs to the north Toledo site.
There are more than 40 Japanese-owned companies with operations in Northwest Ohio, employing more than 9,300 people.
Iwanaga noted the site decision was a competitive process, with Texas also under consideration. To that, he complimented the regional collaboration of economic development partners in facilitating the process and finding the ideal location. Notably, he recognized the Community Improvement Corporation of Defiance County, the Regional Growth Partnership, and JobsOhio.
“TPAM’s newest facility in Northwest Ohio will broaden a global automotive supplier’s footprint in the region after establishing its first North American operations here five years ago. This latest investment demonstrates TPAM’s confidence in Ohio’s talented auto manufacturing workforce while bringing a cutting-edge facility and 30 new jobs to Defiance.”
– J.P. Nauseef, JobsOhio President & CEO
The Regional Growth Partnership is the lead economic development organization serving 17 counties in Northwest Ohio. As a private nonprofit development corporation, the RGP is dedicated to fostering regional, national and international business investment opportunities across the region. The RGP serves as Northwest Ohio’s network partner for JobsOhio. Visit www.rgp.org for more information.
JobsOhio is a private nonprofit economic development corporation designed to drive job creation and new capital investment in Ohio through business attraction, retention and expansion. The organization also works to seed talent production in its targeted industries and to attract talent to Ohio through Find Your Ohio. JobsOhio works with six regional partners across Ohio: Dayton Development Coalition, Ohio Southeast Economic Development, One Columbus, REDI Cincinnati, Regional Growth Partnership and Team NEO. Learn more at www.jobsohio.com. Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.