Fujitec America announced today that it will be refocusing its operations in Lebanon, Ohio to better meet long term growth opportunities in the U.S. elevator and escalator business.  As part of this new business strategy, Fujitec also announced that it will offer for sale a significant portion of its 124-acre site in Lebanon for further development.“

These plans will ensure Fujitec America is positioned for strong long-term growth in the U.S. market, and reaffirm our long-term commitment to our vital Lebanon, Ohio site,” said Katsuhiro Harada, president of Fujitec America.

“After a thorough review of our business and growth opportunities, we have decided to focus our Lebanon facility on research and development and the manufacture of state-of-the-art controllers for elevators and escalators,” Harada said.  “Controllers are the brains of elevator and escalator operation, and Fujitec controllers are recognized as the most advanced in the industry. We will continue to produce select mechanical components for elevators, but we will move away from manufacturing heavy duty escalators. This new focus puts us in a unique position to capitalize on the growing importance of the U.S. market for advanced controllers.”

“Fujitec will maintain its competitive position in the heavy duty escalator business and our commitment to quality and customer service,” Harada said.   “Fujitec Co., Ltd., our parent company, will continue to be a leader in the design, development and production of mechanical devices for escalators for the North American market.”  The company said Fujitec will continue to produce heavy duty escalators, but future manufacturing will be shifted to other Fujitec companies and suppliers.

The company said that the refocus of it operations will result in the loss of some jobs at the Lebanon facility.  While final decisions are still being made, the company said it expected about 10% of the current employees to be impacted.  Fujitec currently employs approximately 125 people in Lebanon.  Fujitec employs an additional 600 employees in their regional sales offices throughout the United States.

“This is a difficult decision, and one that we did not make easily,” Harada said.  “We value the contribution of all of our Lebanon employees, and we recognize the impact this decision will have on some of our employees.  We are making this announcement now to allow them as much transition planning as possible.  We will be providing impacted employees with a separation package that will include severance payments, employment counseling and training support.”

Fujitec will consolidate its operations in Lebanon into newly designed facilities that the company said will better serve its needs.  When completed, the current and new facilities will occupy about one-third of the 124-acre Lebanon site.  The company said it has decided to offer the remaining land for sale, and that it is talking to potential buyers about options for the sale and further development of the land.

“We welcome proposals from potential buyers who share our vision for a development that maximizes the value of the property for the benefit of the region, area residents and Fujitec’s continued operation in Lebanon,” Harada said.  “This area is enjoying rapid growth and development, and the size and location of this underutilized land will mean further development that will provide jobs, tax revenues and new services for Lebanon and the surrounding area.  Freeing this land further affirms our commitment to Southwestern Ohio.”

Fujitec purchased the 124-acre site in Lebanon and began operations in 1983.  The initial development included construction of facilities for manufacturing and later was expanded to include research and development and administration buildings.