If you go:
What: Yamada job fair
When: 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, July 23
Where: Courtyard by Marriot, 100 S. Fountain Ave., Springfield
On the web: www.yamadanorthamerica.com
A South Charleston manufacturing firm will host one of the largest job fairs in the company’s history today and is looking for at least 50 workers at an event in downtown Springfield.
Yamada North America, Inc. will host a job fair from 9 a.m. to noon today at the Courtyard by Marriott in downtown Springfield, 100 S. Fountain Ave.
“This is the most that we’ve ever had this many open positions at one time,” said Jackie Bohn, human resources coordinator at Yamada.
The company, at 9000 Columbus-Cincinnati Road in South Charleston, manufactures water pumps, drive shafts, steering columns and other parts for the auto industry. Last year, the company announced plans to add jobs as part of a $15.2 million expansion, the second major expansion at the Honda supplier in recent years.
Jobs available range from a starting wage of $12.50 per to $26 per hour, Bohn said. The majority of the openings are for production workers. But there are also positions including maintenance and engineering technicians, and skilled trades like machine operators and die service technicians. The company is also looking for team leaders in a few departments.
As many as 30 more positions could become available by October, she said. The company is planning to open a new line and will also eventually make a part for Honda's new NSX supercar, she said.
“We’re looking for people to fill currently and in the next 90 days,” she said. “Our head count is going to increase quite a bit.”
The company now has about 700 workers, including full-time employees and temporary staff, and there are 50 openings. By October, total employment will be closer to 800 overall, she said.
Yamada has been in business locally since 1988 and has never laid off employees, she said. When a tsunami overseas affected production in 2009, the company reduced hours for workers to keep them on the job.
“With our production neeeds we do a lot of overtime, and sometimes that may deter people who are just looking for part-time or 40 hours but in the near future we are also looking to possibly bring in part-time positions,” Bohn said.
Residents interested in applying are asked to dress appropriately and bring a resume. On-site hiring is possible for some positions, so workers can also bring identification although it’s not necessary, she said.
Residents can also view available positions at www.yamadanorthamerica.com.
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