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OTICS USA, held a ribbon cutting celebration to announce the expansion of its Morristown Facility with the Morristown Area Chamber of Commerce Friday morning.

OTICS, located at 5555 Interstate View in the East Tennessee Progress Center, first opened its doors in 2001 and has expanded its facility four times before the newest expansion, constantly adapting to the growth of Morristown.

Local government community and business leaders were present to celebrate the expansion.

Morristown City Mayor Gary Chesney looked back on the beginning of OTICS’ partnership with the area and how the company has grown over the years.

“It was 20 years ago, this week that OTICS USA sent out its first shipment from its first United States facility” Chesney said. “That happened right here, where we stand this morning.”

“Today we cut the ribbon to officially celebrate their fifth expansion at this site. OTICS has invested nearly a half of a billion dollars here and their facility has grown to 400,000 sq. ft. With 350 people working here, more jobs are coming.”

Hamblen County Mayor Bill Brittain congratulated the company on its expansion and discussed the growth in the county and how it is preparing to bring more employees to the job market.

“I want to congratulate OTICS and its management team, employees and everyone who is a part of their story and their operations, “Brittain said. “Although the county government is not involved with the management of the industrial parks, we are in the schools working to develop the work force for our employers.”

“Every couple of years through company expansion we locate the equivalent of a Volkswagen plant in Hamblen County through the growth of various industries in Morristown and Hamblen County. This is indication that our region and community is a great place to do business.”

Chairman of the City of Morristown Industrial Development Board R. Jack Fishman looked back, 20 years ago, when the facility first broke ground and how the community has benefited from its arrival.

“I want to take this opportunity to make sure we understand what this 20 years has meant to our community, the millions and billions of dollars, the number of jobs that have been created and I want to spend some time to explain how that happened and thank those who made is possible.”

“I want to thank OTICS because they were the ones who opened this location 20 years ago. It’s been a while since we first broke ground on this site and there has been five of them (expansions) and I hope there will be a six and seven. What makes that happens are the skills OTICS brings to our community, the dollars they bring to the community, and the equipment they bring to the facility to make it run.”

Fishman highlighted the workers who are dedicated to ensure the success of OTICS USA and the local education institutions who are training the future work force.

“We also have to recognize the over 400 workers in this location that have jobs in our community. They spend their taxes dollars in our community,” Fishman said. “I want to make sure we understand that these people give their lives, yes they are making a living, but they have to learn that job to make it happen for all of our industries in our community. We have skills in our community that we never thought we could possibly have and I want to thank our people for learning those jobs and that’s the reason we are here for the fifth time.”

“Our school systems, TCAT Morristown and Walters State Community College help train people and teach them skills that are required to maintain operations and ensure their success.”

Naoto Suzuki, president of OTICS USA, discussed how the company and the Morristown facility came to be.

“Our parent company, OTICS Corporation, began in 1918 in Japan. We have a long history of making high precision and suspension component for the automotive industry,” Suzuki said.

“OTICS Corporation had a strong desire to expand operation into the US, opening the Morristown facility in 2001. Our location in northeast Tennessee because of its central location for our customers and suppliers.”

Suzuki highlighted key points that helped the company and the facility grow and expand through the years.

“Our strong emphasis on costumer satisfaction is very important to us and our growth and success is due to our continuing dedication to satisfy our customers.”

“I would like to thank the Morristown community, your partnership with OTICS USA is the reason we are here today. This area offers a great location to supply our customers and supplying with us high quality team members. We know that working together with the city of Morristown and Hamblen County will enable us to grow our business in the US. We appreciate the support.”

Suzuki concluded the ceremony by recognizing and thanking the company’s team members for aiding in the success of the company.

“I want to recognize our team members. We are very proud of them and their efforts,” Suzuki said. “Their support and dedication is the foundation of our company. We offer many opportunities for our team member to participate in our success.”

“We have strong employee development and focus in safety. We are confident that our team members will carry OTICS USA in to the future.”