Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/499779
ATV/UTV Georgia production move allows OEM to source local vendors, reduce production time BY KATE SWANSON ASSISTANT EDITOR Almost a year after moving its engine produc- tion to Rome, Ga., Suzuki Manufacturing of America is finding more reasons to celebrate. The plant recently reached its 14th anniversary, and with nearly 500,000 units produced since the plant opened, Suzuki has strived to prove its dedication to ATVs. "Suzuki is increasing our production in the U.S. to show that we are committed to the ATV market as well," said communications manager Steve Bortolamedi. In the past decade, Suzuki Manufacturing of America has seen multiple assembly line addi- tions, including frames, fenders and powder coating. The engine assembly addition to Suzu- ki's plant in 2014 was the final step in assuring Suzuki engines were assembled 100 percent in the United States. "Basically every UTV/ATV that Suzuki makes for the world is built in Georgia. It's financially better, and it helps us and our deal- ers," said Rod Lopusnak, Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.'s director and operations head for motorcycle/ATV sales operations. As with all transitions, Suzuki experienced several big changes by moving its assembly line. "The biggest change that we've noticed is simply with the team members at Suzuki Manufacturing of America," Lopusnak said. "Now they have the whole engine; they're going through the whole assembly, so it gets the whole team a lot more intimate with ATV and gives them a much better understanding of the whole package." To accommodate the move, Suzuki added more than 20 people to its staff and cross- trained many employees as well. "We've increased the ability for staff members to do multiple jobs. Now they can do various jobs which helps with overtime or if there's a certain part of the ATV assembly that needs assis- tance," said Lopusnak. Suzuki continues to grow in Georgia and shares the state with other prominent OEMs. "From a manufacturing standpoint, it's a huge benefit because the more specific targeted man- ufacturers that are there, the more vendors that come in," said Lopusnak. "So it gives us more options, and it's just a lot easier to do business." Lopusnak says the benefits of the move continue to outweigh any challenges, and using U.S.-sourced parts also helps reduce taxes. By being able to deal directly with vendors in the U.S., Suzuki Japan no longer plays the middle- man in communications. Suzuki Manufactur- ing has been able to increase its response time and be more adaptive in the ATV market. "Our customer service level to our deal- ers is much higher because we don't have any delay time in the part coming from Japan or communication from Japan," Lopusnak added. "We can meet the market needs better, and this way dealers don't have slow-moving Suzuki motoring to support U.S. ATV market 26 • May 4, 2015 • Powersports Business www.PowersportsBusiness.com Suzuki Manufacturing of America Corp. celebrated 14 years of ATV assembly earlier this year. Suzuki Manufacturing of America has an open invitation for Suzuki dealers to tour its plant. Plant employees simply ask for a day or two notice of a dealer's visit. SEE FOR YOURSELF