Takata Dedicates New $14.6 Million Automotive Crash Test Facility

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Aug. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- TK Holdings Inc., the North American subsidiary of Takata Corporation, today launched construction of an 18,500 square-foot expansion to house enhanced automotive safety testing.  The $14.6 million investment will include North America's first automotive supplier servo controlled crash simulation sled with advanced pitching capabilities.

The new facility will test automotive occupant safety restraint systems for high speed frontal and side impact conditions.  It provides the most advanced sled crash simulation equipment available from any automotive supplier in North America.  Takata estimates a one-year build out and the creation of 40 new high tech jobs within TK Holdings Inc. as a result of the new testing capabilities.

"We want to thank the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), and officials at the state, county and city levels for assisting with incentives that have allowed Takata to add this facility here to our North American headquarters in Auburn Hills," says Alby Berman, vice president, TK Holdings Inc.  "Public-private partnerships such as this are what help our businesses and our state to again move forward together toward a prosperous future for everyone in the region."

Takata has a long history of investment and job creation in Michigan, starting with their first North American research & development center located here in 1987.  Even prior to today's announcement, Takata has grown their southeast Michigan presence to more than 600 professionals across several functional areas, including engineering, sales, finance, and information technology.  As the company has grown and expanded around the world, Michigan has consistently been an area of increasing investment and related employment.

"We considered building the new facility outside of the state, but through the civic and government efforts, we are able to add on to our current building and grow the jobs and investment right here in Auburn Hills," says Berman.  "That's good for the region, and good for Takata."

"Takata Corporation is extremely proud of our NA headquarters and Michigan investment," says Shige Takada, president and COO of Takata Corporation. "This step helps Takata continue to aggressively move forward as a safety technological innovator, expand even further our customer-focused tradition around the globe, and move even closer to a day when there will be zero victims due to traffic accidents."

For more information, visit www.takatasafety.com.

SOURCE Takata