Honda’s goal: Innovation

Debbie Blank

OSGOOD – “There were many reasons why Honda selected Indiana for our new plant – transportation, infrastructure, land and other business decisions,” Shane McCoy, a 17-year Honda employee who will be responsible for support services at the Greensburg factory, told 320 attendees of the Ripley County Chamber of Commerce annual dinner Sept. 14.

“Ultimately we’re not buying land, we’re buying into a community. We decided this would be someplace we’d be very proud to call home.”

According to him, the Japanese-based company has a philosophy called “carrying our own torch.” He explained, “If you don’t carry your own light, you can’t lead the way. If you walk with light provided by others, you will always bring up the rear.” McCoy said the competitive automaker "always wants to be a leader."

He noted the philosophy doesn’t apply to just vehicle designs. Honda’s engineering company has a long tradition of developing unique technology, rather than making copies of competitors’ products. Two examples are its fuel cell electric vehicle and the hybrid Civic.

“We strive to do what’s right,” said McCoy, whether that involves Honda’s philanthropic endeavors, how the company treats associates or its approach to the environment.” In fact, the Greensburg plant will be modeled after one in Alabama, where water and other materials are used so efficiently that no waste is sent to a landfill.

The Honda senior manager now working at its Marysville, Ohio, plant, reported the company’s “road to Indiana actually began in 1979” when Honda decided to build motorcycles in Ohio, its first venture in the United States. “Analysts said American workers couldn’t reach the quality” Japanese workers attained. “The rest is history. American workers proved the experts wrong and became our benchmark.”

He said those first 64 associates in Marysville, Ohio, today have mushroomed to 30,000 in North America making not just motorcycles, but also cars, trucks, all-terrain vehicles and even snow blowers. “We have a lot of products out there.”

McCoy recalled the spirit of the Batesville High School basketball team in 1998, the last year of the state’s open class basketball tournament, when it kept on winning (eventually earning Sports Illustrated coverage) and likened that team to Honda’s first American one. “Both teams showed ... with good people and good strategies, you can really accomplish anything and teach people a lot in the process.”

According to him, “We believe associate involvement is our competitive advantage ... We call our associates the experts and we really mean that.” He wants them to make suggestions often, not just to improve vehicle quality, but also safety of drivers, passengers, pedestrians and plant employees. One associate’s suggestion resulted in moving the Civic fuse box from under the dashboard closer to the door, where it is much easier to install. “To some people, this level of input is unusual, but to us, it’s what we expect.”

He asked himself one question everyone was wondering: “What is Honda looking for in a new associate in Indiana?” Skills are expected, but “it’s more than that. We want people that are passionate about their work, who like to work as part of a team and solve problems and people who want to make a difference every day," not just at work, but in the outside world.

McCoy said Honda executives are still working on plans for the Greensburg facility. “We don’t have a cooky cutter approach. We try to learn from the other plants we’ve built and make improvements.” The “culture and environment" of the geographical area are taken into account as well.

In the last two and a half months since the announcement, Honda has assembled a startup team that will formulate a strategy to meet the needs of the company, its future associates and the community.

McCoy reported equipment has arrived at the site and “moving of dirt will start happening very soon.” Once permits are received, construction will begin. “Next spring we’ll have a (groundbreaking) ceremony.”

Most of the plant’s executives will be arriving here next June. “We expect to be in mass production in the fall of 2008.”

Some in the Jac-Cen-Del Elementary School cafeteria had questions.

Margie Swinney, New Marion, wondered what the starting pay for a plant worker will be. McCoy answered, “All of those decisions haven’t been made yet.” Unlike some companies that pay the same wages across the country, Honda leaders study salaries within the automotive industry and also those of area and state businesses, then set a competitive wage rate.

Don Karbowski, Batesville, asked about hiring. “I’m curious. Are you targeting any age group – the young?” The speaker said workers will be very diverse both in age and other demographics.

Gary Moeller, Batesville, questioned how much education employees will need. “We do not require a college degree,” the manager replied.

Frank Thompson, Oldenburg, asked when job interviews will begin. McCoy explained that before production can start, trial events to insure equipment is working properly will take place in summer 2008 with associates trained before that. He predicted the bulk of hiring will be completed that spring and a little bit prior.

Melanie Dreyer, Batesville, questioned how many Japanese associates will be coming here for short or permanent stays. McCoy guessed 50.

Melodie Busch of Busch Landscaping, Osgood, asked how she could become a supplier for the new plant. McCoy referred her and other interested persons to www.hondasupplyteam.com.

Both the speaker and listeners were in a buoyant mood. McCoy observed, “Soon the associates right here will write the first chapter of what I’m sure will be a very long and successful history.” He added, “We’re excited about the future and the role Indiana will play in it.”

Debbie Blank can be contacted at (812) 934-4343, Ext. 113; or debbie.blank@cnhimedia.com. To comment on stories, visit batesvilleheraldtribune.com.

Text Only