In 1998, Kumi Canada Corporation opened its doors on Reagens Industrial Parkway in Bradford West Gwillimbury to provide a local source of automotive parts for Honda Canada’s manufacturing plant in Alliston.
When it opened, the subsidiary of Kumi Kasei had only 15 associates.
Justin Moreau was one of them, hired as a night shift supervisor for the plastics extrusion line.
Twenty years later, Moreau, now vice president, was one of the speakers at Kumi’s anniversary celebration, marking the evolution of the company into a world-class purveyor of parts, with 170 associates.
Kumi President Kevin Chase attributed the company’s success to the dedication of all involved in the supply chain, especially “the 170 associates currently employed.”
“We are looking forward to the next 20 years and celebrating the success here — and looking beyond to the next 20 years,” he added.
Mayor Keffer thanked the associates “for what they brought to the community,” embracing waste reduction strategies, volunteering at Bradford Valley Care Community and the Helping Hand Food Bank.
Troy Lambert of Honda Canada praised the “pride and craftsmanship that Kumi associates bring to the job every day,” demonstrating “true commitment that every part manufactured here meets the high standards of Honda Canada manufacturing.”
Kumi currently provides 52 different parts to the Honda plant in Alliston, and it has won a total of 11 awards — five for quality, five for delivery, and one for productivity.
Kumi has been chosen to supply 35 parts for the 2021 model Honda Civic.
“It’s quite an achievement,” said Lambert.
Moreau spoke of some of the challenges that faced the plant in its early days — the highs and lows that mirrored the market, currency fluctuations, and the effects of natural disasters.
He also credited the ongoing success of Kumi to “a team effort led by you, our associates. Our future really looks bright.”
Guests enjoyed a barbecue lunch, with face-painting, balloon artistry, birthday cake, inflatable jumping castles, outdoor family activities, and a tour of the Bradford plant.
