DENSO Manufacturing Arkansas Celebrates Grand Opening of Osceola Facility

Local Music, Sake Barrel-Breaking Ceremony Part of Kick-Off Celebration

OSCEOLA, Ark., Nov. 3 -- The combination of Japanese tradition with a warm welcome by local Arkansas officials was the perfect recipe for a successful grand opening ceremony for DENSO Manufacturing Arkansas, Inc. (DMAR).

Guests attending the celebration included Governor Mike Huckabee, Osceola Mayor Dickie Kennemore, Consulate General of Japan Masaru Sakato, DENSO Corporation President and CEO Koichi Fukaya, DENSO International America President and CEO Matt Matsushita, and DMAR President Jerry McGuire.

Performing at the ceremony was The Osceola Select Choir, a group of sixth, seventh and eighth grade students from the Academic Center of Excellence and Osceola Middle School. In addition to speeches, there was a presentation to Arkansas Northeastern College, a tour of the manufacturing facility, and a Japanese sake barrel-breaking ceremony -- called kagami biraki -- which signifies the beginning of a new business endeavor. Japanese people believe that by breaking the barrel with a wooden mallet and splashing sake, a rice wine, blessings and good luck will be brought to all in the community. Before lunch, guests listened to "Miyabi," a Japanese quartet playing koto, a traditional Japanese stringed instrument, and shakuhachi, a bamboo flute.

"With the wisdom, enthusiasm and energy of our employees at companies in Japan, Michigan and the United Kingdom, as well as this progressive community, we have been able to hit the ground running in the direction of success," said McGuire. "I've seen the collaboration and entrepreneurial spirit of Northeast Arkansas firsthand, and that has been instrumental in our success. Our mission is to be the model of what Northeast Arkansas has to offer."

In July 2003, when the facility opening was first announced, DMAR was expected to employ 500 people by 2008. Currently, the company employs 360 people, and expects to reach its goal once all manufacturing lines are at full production.

"DENSO Manufacturing Arkansas is one of our main hubs in the southern United States," says Fukaya. "This facility is essential in helping us meet our customers' growing requests for thermal products."

About DENSO Manufacturing Arkansas

DENSO Manufacturing Arkansas, Inc., established July 2003, manufactures heating and air conditioning components for the automotive industry and radiators for the heavy equipment industry. DMAR is DENSO's 23rd manufacturing facility in North America and is owned entirely by DENSO International America, Inc.

About DENSO

DENSO Corporation, headquartered in Kariya, Aichi prefecture, Japan is a leading global supplier of advanced technology, systems and components. Its customers include all the world's major carmakers. Worldwide, the company employs 104,000 people in 31 countries and regions, including Japan. Consolidated global sales for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005 totaled US$26.2 billion. DENSO common stock is traded on the Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya stock exchanges. In the Americas, DENSO employs 15,000 people at 33 companies. Consolidated sales for the above fiscal year totaled $5.4 billion. DENSO International America, Inc., Southfield, Mich., serves as the North American headquarters.

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