Thirty years after establishing itself in Washington C.H., YUSA Corporation has become the largest plant in Fayette County and an industry leader in the manufacturing of automotive rubber components.
To celebrate this milestone, the company recently held a 30-year anniversary outing with its employees and their families at the plant, located at 151 Jamison Road SW.
During the celebration, Moe Bagheri (sales at YUSA) recalled the humble beginnings of the company.
“Over 30 years ago, I received a phone call from a friend of mine regarding a job opportunity with a Japanese company that was planning to start a new auto parts manufacturing facility in Ohio,” Bagheri said. “I asked him for the name and location of this new company, and he said that it had not been decided yet. I said to him, ‘You want me to leave the secure job I have now to go to work for a company that has no name and no address?’ All he said back was, ‘Trust me.’ I had my doubts, but as some of you know, I like to take risks and venture into new things.”
Bagheri eventually accepted the challenge and began working out of an office in Columbus. Following a few months, the office was moved into the old Honda motorcycle shop on Route 22 to be closer to the plant site.
The new plant construction was completed in 1988 and first production began later that same year. YUSA’s total sales in its inaugural year was only $138,000 with the work of very few associates.
Things have changed, Bagheri said.
“Our annual sales exceed $300 million dollars and with over 500 associates, we are now one of the top 50 largest rubber companies,” he said.
The parts manufactured in Washington C.H. are in more than 25 million Honda vehicles in North America and across the globe.
“We have tremendous momentum with our business in North America,” Bagheri said. “This success could not have been achieved without the continuous support from all of our associates as well as our community. We are here to stay. We will continue expanding our sales and investing in our company with new automation and continue manufacturing new high-tech products. I am certain that with our new vision, clear direction and the passion of our associates that we will be successful for many years to come. I am proud to be here in Washington Court House and work for a world-class company.”
