The Warren County site was selected over another in Valparaiso, Ind., following an announcement in February that UGN planned to expand at one of its two Midwest locations.

 

An Illinois auto parts maker is investing in its Dayton-area plant. UGN Inc. will expand its Monroe operations with a 154,000-square-foot addition.

An Illinois auto parts maker is investing in its Dayton-area plant. UGN Inc. will expand its Monroe operations with a 154,000-square-foot addition.

Tinley Park, Ill. (July 12, 2018) — Leading automotive parts manufacturer, UGN, Inc., has chosen Monroe, Ohio, to be the focus of the company’s 2018 expansion efforts.

In February, UGN announced targeted expansion and further investment in one of its Midwest locations: UGN Monroe, in Ohio, or UGN Valparaiso in Indiana. The growth addresses the needs of their customers and corresponding new programs awarded in 2019 and 2020.

On his decision, Peter Anthony, president and CEO of UGN said “both locations exemplify UGN culture and the level of success in which we strive,” adding that while there were benefits to expansion in either Ohio or Indiana, ultimately the company has decided to expand in Monroe.  

“We are excited about our growth in Monroe,” Mr. Anthony stated. “And I’m very happy our customers are embracing the UGN innovations and are designing them into their future vehicles. Ultimately, these technologies benefit UGN’s customers, in turn adding value to the end customer—the drivers themselves.”

“It is exciting to see another Japanese auto supplier grow in Ohio, and we are pleased UGN chose Monroe for this expansion,” said Jonathan Bridges, JobsOhio director of automotive.

“UGN’s investment in Warren County was a collaborative effort that will bring 111 new jobs to support OEM demand for its high-quality acoustic, interior, and underfloor products.”

“UGN, Inc. is innovating and growing in Monroe,” said Johnna Reeder, President and CEO of REDI Cincinnati.

“We are proud to champion their success and look forward to enhancing our partnership as they become a leader in the Greater Cincinnati region’s automotive success.”

The UGN Monroe facility opened in 2015 and brought more than 280 new skilled jobs to the community. In its short operating history, UGN Monroe has also been distinguished with customer awards and industry recognition.

UGN Monroe expansion will increase the size of the facility’s current building by 154,000 square feet, requires 111 new team members, and add close to $6M in salaries.

If you are interested in joining the growing UGN Monroe team, please visit UGN Careers, and follow the UGN Life page on LinkedIn for a look into our culture.

The expansion is planned to start this month, and construction should be complete by November 2018.

About REDI Cincinnati

The Regional Economic Development Initiative (REDI) Cincinnati is the Southwest Ohio regional partner of the JobsOhio Network. REDI Cincinnati is the first point of contact for businesses interested in growing in or relocating to Greater Cincinnati, a three-state, 15-county region with 2.2 million residents and 120,000 businesses, including nine Fortune® 500 companies. In 2017, the Greater Cincinnati region ranked sixth in the U.S. for new/expanded facilities among metros with one million or more residents.

About UGN, Inc.

Founded in 1986 as a partnership between Nihon Tokushu Toryo Co. Ltd., (Nittoku) and Autoneum Holding AG, UGN, Inc., is the preferred producer of high-quality acoustic, interior trim, and thermal management products, and a recognized leader in customer satisfaction for the Japanese transplant automotive industry in North America.  

UGN, with more than $415 million in revenue, has six locations in the United States—Novi, Michigan; Jackson, Tennessee; Monroe, Ohio; Somerset, Kentucky; Tinley Park, Illinois; and Valparaiso, Indiana; as well as a location in Silao, Guanajuato, Mexico—specializing in manufacturing, research, development, testing, and service support.

(Pay Wall) By Cody Mroczka. Tinley Park’s UGN, Inc. has selected manufacturing veteran Donald Nelson as the company’s new chief operating officer.

June 18, 2018 - (Automotive News) - People on the Move: UGN, Inc. has selected manufacturing veteran Donald Nelson as the company's new chief operating officer.

“How you handle things from a culture standpoint is vitally important,” says CEO Peter Anthony. “We transferred some individuals from our various plants... to our new business so they could help develop the new culture at the new plant in the ‘UGN Way.’”

As you might expect with an automotive company, the UGN Way and the UGN culture are all around lean, and not just on the shop floor.

“We view [lean] as a total enterprise tool. We take the view you should be thinking lean in everything you do,” Anthony says. “From a new factory standpoint, there are many facets, from site selection to how it’s laid out to the equipment that is being used.”

"Donald Nelson is a proven lean manufacturing leader who has a history of instituting game-changing sales and operations processes," said Peter Anthony, president and CEO of UGN, Inc.

Don Nelson
UGN, Inc. Hires Lean Manufacturing Leader Donald Nelson as COO

TINLEY PARK, Illinois (June 7, 2018)—UGN, Inc. has selected manufacturing veteran Donald Nelson as the company’s new chief operating officer.

“Donald Nelson is a proven lean manufacturing leader who has a history of instituting game-changing sales and operations processes,” said Peter Anthony, president and CEO of UGN, Inc.

“The lean manufacturing methodology is a best practice in automotive manufacturing circles,” Mr. Anthony added.  “It’s always been crucial to our success at UGN, and Donald’s expertise and dedication to lean tactics is just one of the many reasons we’re happy to have him aboard.”

Mr. Nelson has also held senior operational positions in the automotive and aerospace sectors. Prior to UGN, he was the head of Global Operations for a $200 million publicly-traded manufacturing organization. In this role, he instituted Lean Transformation and Change Management principles which resulted in significant productivity increases and saved millions in annual operating costs.

Mr. Nelson officially started at UGN, Inc. on Thursday, May 31st, 2018, and reports to Mr. Anthony as part of the executive team.

“I’m very excited to be working at a company like UGN,” Mr. Nelson said. “It’s a great opportunity to take on the role of COO during this period of continued growth,” he added, referencing recent news regarding the new facility in Silao, Mexico.

About UGN, Inc.

Founded in 1986 as a partnership between Nihon Tokushu Toryo Co. Ltd., (Nittoku) and Autoneum Holding AG, UGN, Inc., is the preferred producer of high-quality acoustic, interior trim, and thermal management products, and a recognized leader in customer satisfaction for the Japanese transplant automotive industry in North America.  

UGN, with more than $415 million in revenue, has six locations in the United States—Novi, Michigan; Jackson, Tennessee; Monroe, Ohio; Somerset, Kentucky; Tinley Park, Illinois; and Valparaiso, Indiana; as well as a location in Silao, Guanajuato, Mexico—specializing in manufacturing, research, development, testing, and service support.

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