In 1972, an anomalous Japanese automaker set off on its first manufacturing investment in the U.S. Based in the Golden State itself, Toyota’s Auto Body California (TABC) recently celebrated its 40th anniversary and the title of longest standing American expenditure. Today, the shop produces stamped and welded parts, steering columns and catalytic converters for a variety of assembly plants both in the States and Japan. They also hold the rather important responsiblity of testing, inspecting and repackaging end-of-life hybrid vehicle batteries.
“As our first manufacturing plant in the U.S., TABC’s rich history represents Toyota’s commitment to outstanding teamwork and continuous improvement,” said Atsushi Niimi, executive vice president and member of the board of Toyota Motor Corporation. Fourty years ago, TABC was originally named Atlas Fabricators and was contracted out by Toyota to produce, of all things, truck beds. Two years later, the products hit the market and ever since, the Long Beach facility has been serving one of the fastest growing automakers the world has ever seen.
Source: Toyota
