June 10, 2019—DENSO has invested $1.95 million to open the North Technical Training Center at its Battle Creek, Michigan, facility. According to a press release, the center is designed to be at the forefront of automated and data-rich manufacturing, also known as Industry 4.0, and will act as a training hub for DENSO technical talent. It's an urgent resource for the company as automotive and manufacturing technology rapidly evolves and is built with DENSO's Long-Term Policy 2030 in mind, which aims to create new value for advanced mobility.
As the auto industry moves toward electrification and automated driving, DENSO is committed to providing innovative, tech-forward training grounds for its employees. DENSO's Battle Creek training center is the third of its kind for the company, with others in Tennessee and Mexico. It will serve employees in technical fields, such as skilled trades, machine technicians and engineering. Employees identified for training will receive a customized plan to develop new technical skills, gain new understanding of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies and improve production efficiency—all of which are key factors in boosting operational productivity and profitability.
"It's a critical time in the auto industry and we cannot revolutionize manufacturing and engineering without our people. That is why DENSO is focused on introducing our employees to new technologies, providing cross training for collaboration and developing skills that breed innovation," said Kenichiro Ito, senior executive officer for DENSO Corporation and chief executive officer of DENSO's North American Headquarters. "The talented workers who learn at the Technical Training Center will come out with new ways and creative ideas to change the world through manufacturing."
Kevin Carson, president of DENSO's thermal manufacturing facility in Battle Creek, said, "When most of our workforce was in school, there was no such thing as IoT, automation or Industry 4.0. The automotive industry is drastically changing and that means our machines and the technology that powers them must change.
At the North Technical Training Center, employees will receive training in areas like:
- High-speed video cameras
- Advanced robotics
- Programming automated manufacturing systems
- Precision assembly and alignment of mechanical components and systems
- Machine-specific training for proprietary processes
