In Ohio, Honda’s Marysville plant will also renew a second shift on one of its production lines that will result in about 100 new jobs by the end of this year, Leitzke said.
To assist with the additional shift at Marysville, Leitzke said additional positions at that facility will be filled with existing staffing within the company. Honda suspended one of its shifts in 2008 due to the weak economy.
Honda employs about 630 workers from Clark County and more than 800 from Champaign County, Leitzke said. The Marysville plant produces the Honda Accord, Accord Coupe, Acura TL and Acura RDX.
Leitzke said two factors are driving the expansion. The company has recovered from the earthquake that struck Japan earlier this year, and is anticipating mid- to long-term growth in the auto market. “We have to look long-term also so we’re ready as the economy improves.”
He said the expansion will also have a big effect on companies throughout Ohio that supply parts, including KTH in Champaign County. KTH produces auto body frame assemblies for Honda.
More than 220 companies supply parts for Indiana-built Civics, including 74 suppliers in Ohio.
Myron Crowell, general manager of Marion Industries in Marion, said his company is hiring about 75 new employees and adding a third production shift.
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