Virginia's Secretary of
Commerce and Trade, Caren Merrick,
and Deputy Secretary of Commerce & Trade, Nicole Riley, along with representatives from
Chesapeake Economic Development and the Hampton Roads Alliance,
paid a visit to Sumitomo Drive Technologies, the brand of Sumitomo
Machinery Corporation of America (SMA), a leader in the industrial
manufacturing of premium quality gearboxes, motors, and
controls.
CHESAPEAKE, Va., Aug. 2, 2023
/PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The Sumitomo Drives Technology Executive Team
met with a delegation of esteemed government officials from the
Commonwealth of Virginia, which
included Virginia's Secretary of
Commerce and Trade, Caren Merrick,
and Deputy Secretary of Commerce & Trade, Nicole Riley. Also in attendance were
Steven Wright, Kerstin Plarr, Ben
White, and Lloyd Jackson,
representing Chesapeake Economic Development, and Cliff Copley from the Hampton Roads Alliance.
The group toured the 350,000 square feet Chesapeake manufacturing facility, which also
serves as the North American Headquarters for the company. The
visit focused on future growth opportunities for Sumitomo Drive
Technologies in the Hampton Roads
area.
The government officials were given an in-depth overview of
Sumitomo's strategic operations, gaining insights into the
company's reinvestment initiatives and talent acquisition.
Discussions highlighted Sumitomo's rigorous efforts to de-risk the
supply chain through significant investments in manufacturing
capabilities throughout North and South
America.
"Our discussions revolved around our workforce requirements and
the need for a more agile and business-friendly climate in
Virginia," said Tony Barlett, VP of Operations at Sumitomo Drive
Technologies. "The opportunity to showcase our team's dedication
and the significance of manufacturing in driving economic
development during the tour of our plant was a highlight. We are
optimistic about the future, especially after Secretary Merrick's
visit to our Americas HQ."
In addition to the facility tour, the visit included meetings
that facilitated learning about Sumitomo's operations, customer
base, and its presence in Virginia, with two facilities - the
Headquarters in Chesapeake and the
Large Industrial Gear Unit Manufacturing and Assembly Facility in
Verona. The company took this
opportunity to express its commitment to business growth in
Virginia.
"The SMA Leadership Team is grateful for the recent visit from
Secretary Merrick and members of the Regional Economic Development
Groups to our Chesapeake, Virginia
facility," expressed Jim Solomon,
CEO and President of Sumitomo Machinery Corporation of America. "It
was a great opportunity to share information about Sumitomo's
presence in Virginia. Our primary
aim is to foster company growth and support business expansion in
Virginia, focusing on "Compete and
Win." As we continue to expand our business and manufacturing
footprint in Virginia, we look
forward to deepening our relationship with regional and
Richmond leadership."
Sumitomo Drive Technologies has been a significant player in the
power transmission industry for years, fostering economic growth in
its operating regions. With the insights and discussions from this
visit, Sumitomo looks forward to expanding its operations further,
contributing to Virginia's
economic landscape, and continuing its collaborations with city,
state, and regional officials for future growth opportunities.
About Sumitomo Drive Technologies
Sumitomo Drive Technologies is a brand of Sumitomo Machinery
Corporation of America, one of the most respected names in the
power transmission industry. As an industrial manufacturer of
premium quality gearboxes, motors, and controls, we operate two
prominent facilities – our Headquarters in Chesapeake, VA, and the Large Industrial Gear
Unit Manufacturing and Assembly Facility in Verona. Our commitment to innovation, customer
satisfaction, and comprehensive solutions makes us an industry
leader in power transmission.
Pull Quote
The opportunity to showcase our team's dedication and the
significance of manufacturing in driving economic development
during the tour of our plant was a highlight. We are optimistic
about the future, especially after Secretary Merrick's visit to our
Americas HQ.
Media Contact
Brittany M. Mitchell,
International Marketing Manager, Sumitomo Drive Technologies, 1
757-485-3355, brittany.mitchell@shi-g.com,
https://us.sumitomodrive.com
SOURCE Sumitomo Drive Technologies