On Friday, the company celebrated its 25th anniversary.
Looking back, “technology and safety have progressed a lot,” said Tony Sotojima, president of ADVICS Manufacturing Ohio. “We cannot keep up without (the employees) support.”
Since the company started in Ohio in 1989, workers have produced 68 million brake calipers. Employees have also manufactured 8 million antilock braking systems and later more advanced vehicle stability control units, said Ron Lipps, executive vice president of ADVICS Ohio.
Even though the Great Recession slowed output in 2008 and 2009, not one staffer was laid off although temporary positions were cut. Instead, employees were put to work sweeping floors, manning security booths and even landscaping.
“When other companies laid off, we improved,” Lipps said. “We were determined to come out of this recession stronger and to have an advantage over our competitors when the economy improved.”
ADVICS is now bouncing back, and earlier in 2014, revealed plans for a $100 million expansion expected to create 100 new jobs by the end of 2015. It's the company's single biggest investment into the Lebanon facilities yet and work is underway.
The cost is being spent to expand the control division building, adding nearly 65,000-square-feet. The brake caliper plant is also growing by 10,000-square-feet. Most of the money is being spent to buy new, upgraded equipment, Lipps said.
Once the project is completed next year, new products will be launched including an electronic parking brake and more advanced electronic stability control units, Lipps said.
In addition to the factories, the company’s operations at 1650 Kingsview Drive, Lebanon, also consist of its North American headquarters.
At the Lebanon production facilities, employees machine castings and brackets for brake calipers, assemble the whole caliper, and coat brake parts to prevent rust. The control products division produces electronic stability control units, a computerized technology that helps prevent drivers from losing control of a car. Counted as customers today are the automakers Ford, General Motors, Toyota and Honda.
About the Author