TRW Automotive opens new facility in Japan

The new, custom-designed 5,000 square meter Japan Engineering Center in Yokohama will broaden and consolidate TRW Automotive Holdings Corp.'s technical presence in Japan. The new facility, which houses research and development, application engineering and full product-testing capabilities, is designed to support all local customers for TRW's full safety portfolio. At full capacity the JEC will house a total of 130 engineers, technicians, sales and support staff.

The JEC significantly expands the company's Occupant Safety Systems presence in Japan and houses the new dynamic crash simulator with full sled testing capability. The facility will also provide a common location for all four engineering groups including steering and suspension, braking, occupant safety, and integrated safety systems and include advanced test equipment for all product lines.

"We are very excited to officially open the Japan Engineering Center," says TRW president and CEO John C. Plant. "The new center is a reflection of our commitment to the Japanese market and our ongoing effort to provide the best in advanced safety systems to Japanese customers, both domestically and around the world."

The new three-story center features full laboratory and testing facilities for all major TRW product lines, and also serves as the headquarters for the Japan sales team and the executive management team.

"TRW Automotive Japan has introduced its global account management structure to serve Japanese vehicle manufacturers with the goal of sharpened focus and enhanced service to the needs of these customers worldwide. To reinforce this effort, our new engineering center also serves as the overall TRW headquarters, offering our customers one major contact location for our sales and engineering teams," says Shinzo Yotsumoto, president of TRW Automotive Japan. "From our new center we will offer customers a full spectrum of services to support current product applications and develop new ones for the Japanese market with better responsiveness by coordinating with the overseas core engineering teams of TRW globally."

For more information about TRW Automotive Holdings Corp., visit the company's Web site.