Several Honda locations opened their doors this week for students to tour the facilities as part of National Manufacturing Day. Above, students from Marysville, Northland high schools toured the Marysville Auto Plant on Friday. (Photo submitted)
As Honda celebrated their 40th year of production in America, manufacturing associates throughout the U.S. took time to host students, teachers and community leaders for the ninth annual National Manufacturing Day.
More than 2,000 students attended events throughout the week at Honda facilities throughout the nation – which produce more than 3-million engines and 1.24-million cars and trucks annually – to learn more about the career paths available in the manufacturing field.
The event hosted students from high schools, STEM academies, technical centers and two- and four-year colleges.
They interacted with plant leaders and production associates during events designed to showcase the variety of options available to those considering a career in the field.
Activities included using interactive training tools, such as virtual welders and painters, as well as opportunities for students to try their hand with impact wrenches, circuit boards and robotics applications.
Promoted annually by the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), Manufacturing Day was developed to positively change the perception of today’s manufacturing careers.
“At Honda, we have found that when young people have a chance to experience modern manufacturing for themselves, they have a better understanding of the benefits of a career in the field,” said Rick Schostek, executive vice president of Honda North America, Inc.
“We remain fully committed to providing opportunities for the next generation of industry professionals and Manufacturing Day is an important opportunity to begin that process.”
Honda plants taking part in Manufacturing Day activities include: Honda of America Mfg. (Anna Engine Plant, East Liberty Auto Plant, Marysville Auto Plant), Honda Transmission Manufacturing of America, Honda Manufacturing of Alabama, Honda Manufacturing of Indiana and Honda of South Carolina Mfg.
Honda marked its 40th anniversary of manufacturing products in America in Sept. 2019.
Honda was the first Japanese automaker to produce products in America, beginning with motorcycles in 1979, followed by the start of automobile production in Marysville on Nov. 1, 1982.
In a press release, Honda officials said, “Over the course of four decades, Honda has steadily grown its manufacturing capabilities in the region.
“Honda now employs more than 25,000 associates at 12 plants in America with the capacity to produce more than one million automobiles, three million engines, 400,000 power equipment products and 330,000 powersports products each year, using domestic and globally
sourced parts. In 2018, nearly two-thirds of all Honda and Acura automobiles sold in the U.S. were made in America.”
According to information from Honda, the company has invested more than $20.2 billion in its American manufacturing capabilities, including more than $5.9 billion over the past five years.
The company also works with more than 600 original equipment suppliers in America with cumulative parts purchases of nearly $400 billion over 35 years.
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