Newport News, Virginia-Canon U.S.A.,Inc. and Canon Virginia,Inc., on May 1st, 2009 joined with Virginia state and local offcials to announce the grand opening of Canon's Newport News production facility. The grand opening marks the completion of a new 700,000 square foot facility on the Canon Virginia(CVI) campus for the manufacturing of cartridges for laser printers that will incorporatr Canon's proprietary high-speed, automated technology for cartridge production,
Canon first announced plans to expand in Virginia on May 1,2006. Exactly, one year later , building construction is complete and the new facility, which will produce cartridges for the North American market , will be operational by the end of the year. With assistance from the Commonwealth of Virginia, Canon's investment will exceed $640 million in major expansion projects in the Hampton Roads area that are expected to create more than 1,000 new jobs.
A second expansion project, completed in January 2009, added 70,000 square feet at Industial Resource Technologies, Inc. (IRT) located in Gloucester Country, Virginia. This expansion will allow IRT to increase its efforts in the recycling and reclaiming of toner cartridges and related materials.
"Today's announcement symbolized Canon's commitment to continue U.S.-based manufacturing operations in the Virginia area," said Joe Adachi, president and chief executive officer, Canon U.S.A." By producing , selling , collecting and recycling cartridges locally, we reduce the need to transport products around the world, which allows us to have a positive environmental impact by helping to reduce CO emissions, reduce energy consumption and help preserve environmental resources."
An important component of the expansion project's success has been the ability to quickly hire and develop a highly skilled and technical workforce. With the announcement of the expansion in 2008, partnerships were established between Canon Virginia and a network of workforce development resources throughout Southeastern Virginia, This a alliance included the Virginia Department of Business Assistance, among others, who assisted with the development of a Technical Training Academy, designed to equip Canon Virginia's and the IRT's growing workforce with the skills necessary to support advanced manufacturing and product repair operations. More than 300 current and new employeed have been trained at Canon's workforce Development Center. The training center is located within a mile of the Canon Virginia campus.
Takayoshi Hanagata, president and chief executive officer. Canon Virginia and IRT. added, " Our relationships with the state, local officials and the community have been invaluables. Their support and involvement with our company has enabled us to grow and continually meet changing market demand.
"Canon was one of the first Janpanese companies to locate in Virginia and has been a Virginia business partner for more than two decades," said Virginia Governor Timothy M.Kaine." This company is not only a major employer in Virginia. It is a team player, an important ambassador for the Commonwealth, and a valued philanthropist in the community. I congratulate Canon on its continued success. We're prouf this company calls Virginia its home.
Canon also plans to establish a center for the research and development of automated and robotic manufacturing technologies for the Americas region in Newport News to expand both cartridges production and recycling and reclaiming of toner cartridges. CVI and the Commonwealth are currently exploring strategies for collaboration on this project with Virginia's higher education institutions.
In additon to the new Automated Cartridge Manufacturing building and IRT expansion. Canon Virginia has also expanded its repair and refurbishing facilities for digital consumer products market. CVI has hired more than 250 camera repair technicians for the refurbishing and the end-user repair areas.
Futher underscoring its commitment to the environment, all Canon U.S.A and Canon Virginia facilities have received ISO 14001 Certicification under Canon's Global ISO 14001 certicification Initiative. The ISO 14001 Standard is an internationally accepted specification for environmental management systems created by the International Organication for Standardization to help organizations minimize how their operations affect the enviroment and comply with related news, regulations and requirement.