DENSO Celebrates 50 Years of Innovation and Partnership in Iowa's Cedar Valley

The company's Waterloo location is foundational to DENSO's support of heavy-duty customers, team cuts ribbon to celebrate strong past and bright future

WATERLOO, Iowa, Sept. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- DENSO, a leading mobility supplier, today recognized its 50th anniversary of operations in Iowa's Cedar Valley region.

To commemorate the milestone, representatives from DENSO, the City of Waterloo and economic development group Grow Cedar Valley gathered for a special ribbon-cutting ceremony, honoring the past five decades of innovation, partnership, and community impact – and launching the next 50 years of excellence in the Cedar Valley.

DENSO first began operations in Iowa in 1975 with a small facility in Cedar Falls. To accommodate business growth, the company later established a 36,000-square-foot facility in Waterloo in 2005. Its team has and continues to play a vital role in serving DENSO's heavy-duty customers across North America.

Today, DENSO's Waterloo location is home to more than 20 dedicated team members specializing in technical and quality engineering, warehousing and sales. Over the years, the site has expanded its capabilities, delivering advanced solutions such as starters, alternators, engine cooling modules and fuel injection systems for a range of heavy-duty applications.

"Fifty years ago, DENSO's journey in the Cedar Valley began with a single shipment – a starter delivered by rail car," said Satoshi "Sammy" Hasegawa, executive vice president of North America Sales and Marketing at DENSO and a senior director of DENSO Corporation. "From those humble beginnings, our Waterloo team has driven continuous innovation, built trusted partnerships and contributed to the growth of our company and community. Today, we celebrate not just our past, but the bright future ahead as we launch the next 50 years of DENSO in Waterloo."

The anniversary event featured a ceremonial ribbon cutting with Grow Cedar Valley Ambassadors, symbolizing both the legacy of the past five decades and DENSO's ongoing commitment to the region. Attendees included local leaders, community partners, and DENSO team members – past and present – whose dedication and passion have shaped the company's success.

Throughout its history, DENSO's Waterloo operations have been recognized for their technical expertise and customer focus. The site has continually invested in advanced engineering and testing capabilities, enabling it to meet evolving industry standards and environmental requirements. As a key link in DENSO's North American network, Waterloo remains at the forefront of delivering high-quality products and solutions to heavy duty customers across North America.

"As we mark this milestone, we extend our deepest gratitude to our customers, community partners and team members," said Nate Steege, a senior manager of North America Heavy Duty Sales at DENSO and based in Waterloo. "Everyone's support and collaboration has made our achievements possible. Together, we look forward to building on this legacy for generations to come."

"For decades DENSO has been more than a local employer in Waterloo, it has been a partner in our community's growth and success," said City of Waterloo Mayor Quentin Hart. "Their innovation, commitment to people, and investment in the Cedar Valley have strengthened our economy and provided opportunities for generations of families. On behalf of the City of Waterloo, I congratulate DENSO on its 50th anniversary and look forward to many more years of shared progress and partnership."

The celebration comes as DENSO continues to pursue its Two Great Causes, Green and Peace of Mind. Green represents DENSO's goal to be carbon neutral by 2035, and Peace of Mind stands for the company's efforts to support safer and more seamless mobility. Each DENSO location, including Waterloo, contributes to these goals.

To explore opportunities at a leading manufacturer committed to its  team members and communities, visit densocareers.com.

About DENSO
Globally headquartered in Kariya, Japan, DENSO is a $47.9 billion leading mobility supplier that develops advanced technology and components for nearly every vehicle make and model on the road today. With manufacturing at its core, DENSO invests in around 180 facilities worldwide to provide opportunities for rewarding careers and to produce cutting-edge electrification, powertrain, thermal and mobility electronics products, among others, that change how the world moves. In developing such solutions, the company's 158,000 global employees are paving the way to a mobility future that improves lives, eliminates traffic accidents, and preserves the environment. DENSO spent around 8.6 percent of its global consolidated sales on research and development in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025. For more information about DENSO's operations worldwide, visit https://www.denso.com/global/en/. 

In North America, DENSO is headquartered in Southfield, Michigan, and employs 27,000+ team members across nearly 50 sites in the U.S, Canada and Mexico. In the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025, DENSO in North America generated $12.5 billion in consolidated sales. To learn more about DENSO operations in the region and explore career opportunities, please visit https://www.denso.com/us-ca/en/. 

SOURCE DENSO