Toyota to partner with University of Mississippi to open new manufacturing center
06/25/2008, 5:23 PM
By Drew Johnson
Toyota has announced that it will partner with the University of Mississippi to open a new manufacturing center about 50 miles outside of Tupelo. Dubbed the Center for Manufacturing Excellence, the new center will cost $22 million, which was included in a $293.9 million incentive package Toyota received from the state for building a new plant in Tupelo.
The new plant will open in May 2010, about the same time Toyota should begin receiving enrollment for the Center for Manufacturing Excellence. The Tupelo plant is slated to produce Toyota’s Highlander SUV at a clip of 120,000 vehicles per year.
According to Automotive News, the center will cover 47,000 square feet and will contain a factory floor and process lines. Toyota selected Tupelo because about one-third of its population already has manufacturing experience.
06/25, 5:27 PM
posted by:
xyunya
Let’s find out what’s wrong with that.
06/25, 5:38 PM
posted by:
injunraiv
So the new game is to have college interns build their trucks?
06/25, 7:33 PM
posted by:
beantownslut
I hope the workforce is more Japanese than native Mississippian.
06/25, 7:50 PM
posted by:
Random Jerk
A 1.3 Billion dollar investment in the needy state of Mississippi and 2000 jobs for American workers. Where is your new “domestic” auto going to be built, senor?
06/25, 8:09 PM
posted by:
aitala
Actually Copper Tire has (or had) a plant in Tupelo so there is a lot of experience there. Also, that portion of the state (Tupelo and the University) is a very pretty part of the state, has good access, and can really use the jobs.
Don’t go slagging off Mississippi if you have not lived there.
Dr. Eric Aitala
Mississippi Alumni, Particle Physics, 2003
06/25, 9:16 PM
posted by:
steve333
Name one other country that goes out of its way to make sure a foreign company has an edge over a domestic company?
Yup, none.
Welcome to The United Saps of America.
06/26, 4:37 AM
posted by:
1c3d0g
I think Toy Ota meant “Center for Manufacturing Failure”, as that’s what they’re known for.
06/26, 8:51 AM
posted by:
Fletch
Mississippi would have given any company that incentive to build and operate a plant there, not just foreign owned.
Plus, we all know the 2000 or so direct jobs is just the tip of the iceberg. The trickle down theory should increase business for hotels, restaurants, housing and so on.
06/26, 9:21 AM
posted by:
xyunya
It’s not only hotels and restaurants that get new business. All automotive facilities and especially Toyota create a huge halo effect. Suppliers are building their operations near by to save on transportation cost. Also, Toyota does not store parts on premises, they must arrive in time for production. That means that suppliers will have to provide them and most likely build them just in time for production right there in the vicinity of assembly line. Those suppliers are all from US and all the labor is from US. 2000 permanent jobs probably translate into another 500-1000 temps (who could not pass exams to get full time job, but physically strong).
All states are vying for new production facilities and would provide tax break to any company. Domestic mismanaged into its grave auto industry is not in the expanding mode: you will read more about closing factories in days ahead just like we read every day in the past.
06/27, 12:51 AM
posted by:
bigp
bull****
06/27, 8:47 AM
posted by:
injunraiv
“All automotive facilities and especially Toyota” Especially Toyota? Why does Toyota get special treatment in your mind? Wouldn’t logic dictatae all manufacturing facilities of a given size would have a similar effect on the local economy?
Geez, drink some more corporate koolaid…