Ambassador Sugiyama visits DENSO Tennessee

It was our honor and privilege to host Shinsuke J. Sugiyama, Ambassador of Japan to the United States, at DENSO Manufacturing Tennessee (DMTN) in February. During his visit, Ambassador Sugiyama toured parts of the facility and met with DENSO teams to learn more about the company and our global collaboration efforts.

Ambassador Sugiyama was impressed with the speed of development at DENSO and the global collaboration between Japan and the U.S.

“What I see today is the best example of collaboration between Japan and the United States that I have ever seen,” said. Ambassador Sugiyama. “Japan and the United States are doing some really fantastic things at DENSO.”

During the presentations and discussions throughout the day, Ambassador Sugiyama’s was focused on two key topics: hiring talent and associate life, such as housing and medical treatment options.

DENSO teams shared how we are being more creative in our recruiting efforts, and how we’re tackling the competition for talent from many different angles, including working more closely with colleges, technical schools and high schools to develop and recruit talent.

Ambassador Sugiyama also displayed a genuine interest in DENSO associates’ working and living conditions.  DMTN highlighted its onsite medical treatment facility for associates and family members, fitness center, and other on-site amenities.

“This was the first time any Japanese Ambassador to the United States visited our DENSO facility in Tennessee; we were proud to host him and showcase our associates and efforts,” said Jack Helmboldt, president of DMTN. “DENSO’s leadership was extremely impressed with Ambassador Sugiyama’s knowledge of the challenges manufacturing companies face and his strong interest in how DENSO is addressing those challenges.  It was truly an honor to meet and share our facility with him and his team.”

Hosting Ambassador Sugiyama is one of many efforts DENSO is taking to strengthen its diplomatic relationships. As a global company, DENSO is dedicated to establishing stable economic relations based on mutual trust. To do so, we believe it’s important to learn, discuss, collaborate and understand the common interests of other countries.

Pictured front row (L to R): Masahiko Uchino, Second Secretary, Embassy of Japan in the USA; Jack Helmboldt, DMTN President; Shinsuke J. Sugiyama, Ambassador of Japan to the USA; Hiroyuki Kobayashi, Consul-General of Japan in Nashville; Kenichiro Ito, CEO, DENSO North America and Itsuro Abe, Consul, Consulate-General of Japan in Nashville. Back row (L to R): Masato Kitamae, DMTN Executive Project Leader; Toyohisa Nakano, DMTN Executive Coordinator; Chuntao Ye, DMTN Senior Vice President; Hidecki Ichikawa, DMTN Executive Coordinator; Marty Deschenes, DMTN Vice President; Bob Booker, DMTN Senior Manager and Jennifer Heckmann, Senior Program Manager, DENSO North America.

After touring DMTN, DENSO North America CEO Kenichiro Ito (R) presents Ambassador Sugiyama with “Made in Tennessee” items to commemorate his visit.

Chuntao Ye (R) walks Ambassador Sugiyama through the warehouse process in Plant 302. OPTIONAL Behind the ambassador (L to R), Senior Manager Tom Cole; DMTN President Jack Helmboldt; DMTN Vice President Hidecki Ichikawa and Toyohisa Nakano, DMTN Executive Coordinator, look on.