Teruhiko Doi, president of Sumika Polymer Compounds America, Inc. (left) and Masamitsu Ogiwara, the vice present (right) cut the ribbon for the grand opening of the new Spalding County plant Wednesday morning. Spalding County Commissioner Eddie Freeman, Griffin Mayor Dick Morrow, First National Bank President Chuck Copeland and other members of the Sumika delegation were there as well.
Teruhiko Doi, president of the company, listed several people in the community, including Griffin Mayor Dick Morrow, Spalding County Commissioner Eddie Freeman and Griffin-Spalding Chamber of Commerce Chairwoman Stephanie Windham, as being essential to getting Sumika established in the community.
“Thank you so much for coming up this morning,” he said to the event guests. “We are planning a profitable and prosperous year ahead.”
Takao Kasamatsu, general manager for Sumitomo Chemical Company Ltd. thanked the people for coming out. He said the facility would manufacture plastic resins for use in automobile parts like bumpers.
He said people wondered why two Japanese companies — Sumitomo and the Toyo Ink Group — would establish a plant in the United States. He said industry has become more globalized and high-quality parts are in demand all over the world. Sumika, a joint venture between the two companies, intends to expand worldwide. Toyo already has a plant in Conyers.
He said the company was attracted to Griffin due to its strategic location and its welcoming atmosphere. He said the company took its corporate social responsibilities seriously.
Next came Chuck Copeland, president of First National Bank.
“Thank you for your $30 million capital investment you have made in Spalding County,” he said.
He said the site in the Hudson Road Industrial Park was intended for the plastics industry, so Sumika’s operation hit the “sweet spot.” It would also bring 50 jobs to the community.
He said the Griffin-Spalding Development Authority would not stop there.
The entity would be willing to help Sumika operate and expand.
“It’s a great honor to be here this morning to represent the city of Griffin,” Morrow said.
He read a proclamation from the city and county that made Oct. 28 Sumika Day.
“I would like to thank the Sumika Plant for coming to Griffin and Spaling County,” Freeman said.
He said the local government would be willing to help them out in any way possible. He gave the members of the Sumika delegation Spalding County pins.
After Doi and Sumika Vice President Masamitsu Ogiwara cut the ribbon, there was a reception. Sumika employees took guests on tours of the production facility.
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