To celebrate its 100th anniversary, Daikin America’s parent company, Daikin Industries, Ltd. invited team members from its global subsidiaries for a week-long trip culminating in the 50th Anniversary of the Bon Odori Festival at Daikin’s flagship Yodogawa plant.
Ten DAI members visited chemical plants in Osaka and Kashima, Japan, as well as the corporate headquarters in Osaka. The trip was a whirlwind immersion in Japanese culture and cuisine.
The Team Members representing Decatur: Philip Corlew, Staci Dutton, Eriko Ellis, Kelly Madden, Mark Pope, Stuart Popenoe, Michael Saint, Bonita Shelton, Sabrina Terry, and Amanda Wyrick.
At the Kashima Plant, which is similar in some ways to Daikin’s Decatur operation, Team Members saw first-hand Daikin Chemicals new Integrated Production Center.
Like Decatur, the Kashima Plant is heavily involved in making its local community a better place to live and work.
At the Yodogawa Plant in Osaka, the visitors from the U.S. were impressed with the facility’s Technology and Innovation Center, with its museum recognizing Daikin founder, Mr. Akira Yamada.
At Daikin Headquarters, the visitors from Alabama had the chance to get to know their counterparts from European and Chinese facilities.
In Asakusa, Tokyo, there were tours of an ancient Buddhist temple and, at Kinkakuji Temple, they saw up close a reconstruction of a Buddhist temple in Kyoto.
Having recently celebrated the 30th Anniversary of Decatur’s Bon Odori Festival, Team Members were eager to experience the 50th Anniversary of the parent company’s festival. It did not disappoint.
One Team Member summed up the experience this way: “Our experience in Japan was unforgettable. For the opportunity to tour our parent company’s facility, experience the crowded train stations, see some of the most popular attractions in Japan, and to see old friends and make new, we will be forever grateful.”
