Bentley and Rogers will pay a visit to the HMA plant in Lincoln in celebration of its 10 years of Honda vehicle and engine production in Alabama.
“The start of vehicle and engine production at Honda Manufacturing of Alabama on Nov. 14, 2001, was a significant event in the brief history of our company. In recognition of the accomplishments of our 4,000 associates over the past 10 years, HMA will take time Monday to share highlights of the past decade with our associates during several All Team Meetings scheduled that day," HMA Vice President Mike Oatridge said.
“Additionally, HMA President Tom Shoupe and other members of our manufacturing leadership team will welcome Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley, U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers and other elected officials and special guests to a brief event recognizing HMA’s 10th anniversary of production.”
Ten years ago, on Nov. 14, 2001, the first “customer-ready” Odyssey minivan rolled off the assembly line at HMA.
With only 1,500 associates, and a new home in Lincoln, the plant would soon grow and continue to expand over the next decade, building a Line 2 and further establishing itself as a titan on the mass production scale in the world of Honda.
HMA has established itself as an asset to the state’s flailing economy, contributing $4.5 billion annually to the state economy, and representing 3 percent of the state GSP, according to an economic impact study released by the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama.
“I have seen first hand the positive impact that Honda’s presence has had in east Alabama, through jobs, charitable giving and associate volunteerism. But, more important, I have seen the positive impact that the community has had on Honda,” said Mark Morrison, manager of corporate affairs at Honda, who is a native of Calhoun County.
Tragedy struck March 11 with the devastating tsunami and earthquake in Japan, causing heartbreak among Japanese associates, and an interruption in HMA supply lines from their plant in Japan.
Honda managers in Lincoln and in the company’s other North American facilities had to implement a plan to keep production lines running, and did so successfully before tragedy struck once again when deadly tornadoes ripped through the state April 27.
Associates, sporting red Honda shirts, were seen sorting through rubble, helping tornado victims salvage what little possessions they had left.
No one who was at HMA 10 years ago could have imagined the impact they would have on the surrounding community, as well as the impact the community would have on them.
HMA now employs over 4,000 associates in Lincoln; 21 percent of their associates live in Talladega County.
They are the sole production source of the Odyssey minivan, Pilot sport utility vehicle, and Ridgeline pickup truck, and in 2013 will add production of the Acura MDX luxury sport utility vehicle.
After almost 10 years of calling Lincoln home, the plant has produced a total of 272,082 Odyssey minivans, Pilot SUVs, Ridgeline pickups, Accord V-6 Sedans, and the V-6 engines that power all four models.
Although HMA has had some major milestones over the last 10 years, its associates and leaders continue to push forward, and jump over hurdles, all the while making the future of HMA much brighter for the next decade.
Contact Aziza Jackson at ajackson@dailyhome.com.
