Take a closer look into one of JTEKT's 14 manufacturing facilities and the people behind our products!

1. The JTEKT Way
Produced by The Advocate & Democrat

2. 2-The JTEKT Way
When you enter JTEKT’s facili-
ties in the Tellico West Industrial
Park, you see a large sign on the
wall, which highlights what is
known as the “JTEKT Way.”
Among other things, the JTEKT
Way is a promise to put its custom-
ers first though a commitment to
look at things from their customers’
viewpoint and to sincerely respond
to their customers’ requests.
Located in Vonore for 29 years,
JTEKT has relied on its outstand-
ing employees to live up to the
JTEKT Way to produce the electric
and hydraulic power steering com-
ponents many vehicles on the road
today depend on. JTEKT’s Plant
1 has led the way for nearly three
decades and now a new plant will
come online this spring securing
the company’s future for decades
to come.
JTEKT purchased the 375,000-
square-foot former MARCA build-
ing across the street from its cur-
rent Plant 1, doubling its manufac-
turing space and creating Plant 2.
Plant 2 Plant Manager Brad
Franklin and Human Resource
Manager Terry Knight said JTEKT
will use the new building to manu-
facture the automobile steering
technology of the future: rack par-
allel and dual pinion. Some of the
vehicles that JTEKT’s Vonore facil-
ity provides steering for include:
Camry, Lexus, Accord, Tacoma,
Nissan Altima and Chrysler vehicles.
JTEKT will use the most
advanced technology in the indus-
try to produce the new parts. Even
the temperature and humidity of
the new production facility are
controlled to ensure the best pos-
sible quality. The new facility also
has a test track behind the build-
ing so the parts can be tested on
an actual vehicle.
The new facility represents a
$500 million investment and will
mean about 100 new jobs for
JTEKT, which is already the coun-
ty’s largest employer.
JTEKT has a long history of
being one of the very best corpo-
rate citizens in Monroe County.
JTEKT is the leading corpo-
rate donor to the United Way of
Monroe County and supports
The JTEKT Way: A promise

3. The JTEKT Way-3
education and the community in
many ways.
JTEKT is an environmentally-
friendly company, putting no
pollutants into the air, water or
ground. The company recycles
everything to be good stewards of
the environment.
JTEKT was established in
2006, bringing together all of
the company’s global products.
With more than 7,000 people and
14 manufacturing facilities, the
companies that make up JTEKT
North America have been doing
business since 1958, supplying
bearings, driveline components,
steering systems, and machine
tools.
JTEKT could have chosen any
number of sites to produce the
new products now in demand.
JTEKT’s decision to expand its
Vonore operations is great eco-
nomic news for the area and is a
source of pride for the county.
“Monroe County continues
to stand out as a place where
industries can succeed and
grow,” Monroe County Economic
Director Bryan Hall said. “We
celebrate JTEKT’s decision to
create more jobs and increase
its footprint in our county. This
is tremendous news for Monroe
County and is further evidence
of the confidence that indus-
tries have in our local workforce.
This announcement is huge for
Monroe County and shows that
cutting edge companies are find-
ing success here in our area.”
JTEKT’s commitment to the
area is being celebrated through-
out East Tennessee.
“This is only made possibly
by the hard work and dedication
from our employees and the com-
munity,” Franklin and Knight said.
“Although we are investing in new
equipment, this is also a huge
investment in Vonore, Monroe
County and Tennessee.”
JTEKT offers numerous out-
standing careers, from produc-
tion technician opportunities to
advanced engineering fields. To
learn more about JTEKT career
opportunities, visit: www.jtekt-na.
com.
to put its customers first

4. 4-The JTEKT Way
JTEKT supplies the finest automobile
manufacturers in the world with quality
steering components.
It all began for the Vonore JTEKT opera-
tion at Plant 1 some 29 years ago. Plant 1
still plays a vital role today for JTEKT North
America. JTEKT continues to expand and
Plant 2 will open this spring.
Thousands of trucks come in and out of
the facilities each year as it supplies steer-
ing components all over the world. Closer
to home, JTEKT is a partner with many local
agencies.
Supplying the world

5. The JTEKT Way-5
JTEKT employees are truly citizens of the world. The plant offers training
abroad. Pictured at left, employees on a training trip to France.
JTEKT pays tribute throughout the year to the nation’s veterans. Each
Veterans Day, JTEKT honors veterans each year with a breakfast (bottom).
An outdoor ceremony also pays tribute to our nation’s veterans (below).
In addition, JTEKT is committed to assisting in a number of community
events and causes, including Relay For Life.
Citizens of character

6. 6-The JTEKT Way
JTEKT is the largest corporate donor to the United Way of Monroe County. JTEKT
matches 50 cents to every dollar its employees contribute. In the last seven years,
JTEKT has contributed nearly $135,000. JTEKT is a Project R.E.D. (Repairs for the
Elderly and Disabled) participant for the local United Way as well. JTEKT sponsors
and participates in the United Way Golf Tournament each year.
United for United Way
JTEKT has been honored by the Monroe County Chamber of
Commerce as the Top Job Creator in the County. Pictured from
left: Mitch Millsaps, Monroe County Chamber of Commerce,
JTEKT Plant 2 Plant Manager Brad Franklin and JTEKT Human
Resource Manager Terry Knight.

7. The JTEKT Way-7
Lynn Stephens, team leader at JTEKT, is presented with the Patriotic Employer Award for his support of Tennessee Army National Guardsman Staff
Sgt. Michael LaBudie. Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) recognizes employers who support their members performing military
duties. Sgt. LaBudie recommended Stephens for the recognition. Pictured, from left to right: Jeff Moses (supervisor), Shawn Walters (general manager),
SSG Mike LaBudie, Lynn Stephens (team leader), Don Edmands, Jr. (ESGR representative), Brad Franklin (Plant 2 plant manager), Tomohiko Hirota
(Japanese support member) and Greg Fowler (logistics specialist).
JTEKT was honored at the 2016 Chamber of Commerce as
Business of the Year for employers who employ more than 250
people. Terry Knight and Brad Franklin accept the award from Fort
Loudoun Electric Cooperative General Manager Jarrod Bracket.
An award-winning employer
Each spring JTEKT hosts its Annual Volunteers in Place (VIP) Banquet to honor its
employees who are active in the community.

8. JTEKT, the largest employer in Monroe County, manufacturers high quality hydraulic, manual and electric steer-
ing parts for both foreign and domestic automakers and has been doing so for over 25 years.
JTEKT Automotive Tennessee - Vonore
Located 35 miles southwest of Knoxville in the Tellico West Industrial Park in Vonore, JTEKT
Automotive operates as a subsidiary of JTEKT Corporation in Nagoya, Japan.
Certifications: ISO 14001 and ISO/TS 16949
JTEKT plans to accommodate its growing market and meet future and current needs with a new facility that will
be producing the next generation steering for customers such as Toyota, BMW, Honda and Nissan.
www.jtekt-na.com
What truly makes
this company a success
story are the people
who work there,
their involvement
in the community and
how they are valued
by JTEKT itself.