August 29, 2008 – Honda Sun Co., Ltd., Honda's special-purpose subsidiary established for employment of people with disabilities, today held a ceremony to commemorate the completion of its new plant in Hijimachi, Oita prefecture.
The ceremony was attended by approximately 80 dignitaries, guests, and Honda executives including Katsusada Hirose, the governor of Oita prefecture, and Toshikazu Togari, the president of the Japan Organization for Employment of the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (JEED), as well as Satoshi Aoki, chairman and representative director of Honda, and Hiroshi Soda, director of Honda.
Honda Sun established this new plant with the goal of making it a world-class plant with a universal design which will further expand employment of people with disabilities, improve the work environment and employee benefits, and improve productivity and logistical efficiency.
The new plant aims to create a work environment where people with disabilities can work in the same way as people without disabilities, and with improved productivity and flexibility. Moreover, special consideration was given so that each worker can work in accordance with their physical conditions.
In addition to achieving high safety standards, the opinions of various people, including those who use wheelchairs, were incorporated in the design of the plant in order to make it a friendly plant for every worker who works there.
Based on one of Honda's fundamental beliefs, "Respect for the Individual," Honda Sun Co., Ltd. was established in September 1981, as a special-purpose subsidiary of Honda which provides people with disabilities the opportunity to work with people without disabilities and promotes social independence of disabled people. Today, Honda Sun manufactures parts for motorcycles, automobiles, and power products at its two plants in Oita (Beppu Plant and Hiji Plant).
In July 1992, Honda R&D Sun Co., Ltd. was established as a special-purpose subsidiary of Honda R&D Co., Ltd. Within the facility of Honda Sun's Hiji Plant, Honda R&D Sun conducts CAD-based analysis of motorcycles, automobiles, and power products promoting employment in various areas for people with disabilities.
Honda will continue expanding employment of people with disabilities and strengthen its effort to contribute to the wellbeing of society.
About the new plant
| Location: | 3968 Oaza- Kawasaki, Hijimachi, Hayami, Oita |
| Size: | Lot Size: approximately 4,000m2 Floor Size: approximately 7,400m2 (4-story facility) |
| Plan for new hiring: | Approximately 50 associates (including Honda R&D Sun) *plan to hire new associates in stages by 2012. |
| Planned investment: | Approximately 800 million yen |
| Construction & Start of Operation: | Construction began in February 2008, and the plant became operational in August 2008 |
About Honda Sun Co., Ltd.
| ・ | Establishment: | September 1981 |
| ・ | Location: | Headquarter: 1399-1 Oaza- Uchikamado, Beppu, Oita, Japan Hiji Plant: 3968 Oaza- Kawasaki, Hijimachi, Hayami, Oita, Japan |
| ・ | Capital Investment: | 30 million yen |
| ・ | Capitalization Ratio | 51% Honda Motor Co., Ltd. 24% Japan Sun Industries 25% Others |
| ・ | Sales Revenue: | 1.45 billion yen (fiscal year ended March 31, 2008) |
| ・ | Representative: | Haruyasu Nishida, president |
| ・ | Business: | Production of parts for motorcycles, automobiles, power products |
| ・ | Employment: | 133 associates (as of July 31, 2008) |
About Honda R&D Sun Co., Ltd.
| ・ | Establishment: | July 1992 |
| ・ | Location: | 3968-1 Oaza- Kawasaki, Hijimachi, Hayami, Oita, Japan |
| ・ | Capital Investment: | 30 million yen |
| ・ | Capitalization Ratio: | 60% Honda R&D Co., Ltd. 25% Honda Motor Co., Ltd. 15% Japan Sun Industries |
| ・ | Sales Revenue: | 180 million yen (fiscal year ended March 31, 2008) |
| ・ | Representative: | Haruyasu Nishida, president |
| ・ | Business:
|
CAD-based R&D of parts for motorcycles, automobiles, power products |
| ・ | Employment: | 33 associates (as of July 31, 2008) |