DRIVEN BASE

As U.S. and Canada Honors Veterans, DENSO Recognizes Their Contributions to Manufacturing, Calls for Applications

Nov. 11, 2020

Veterans find stable employment, career growth at DENSO; manufacturing offers veterans opportunities to apply existing skills, learn new ones

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (Nov. 11, 2020)DENSO, a leading mobility supplier, today announced it is recognizing Veterans Day and Remembrance Day, and the significant contributions military service veterans make to its North American operations during the month of November.

In the region, more than 440 of DENSO employees are active, former or reservist military service members. The company has found time and again that these individuals exhibit the type of skills necessary to make not just DENSO a success, but manufacturing as a whole – thanks to their leadership qualities, problem-solving capabilities and results-driven focus. In return, DENSO, and the manufacturing industry, offers them opportunities for stable employment, advanced training and career growth.

Understanding veterans’ important role in the company, DENSO continuously seeks to find new ways to support its veteran employees and calls for more to apply to join its ranks, particularly in production and skilled trade roles.

“Military veterans give so much to so many, and at DENSO, in North America and also in other regions including our global headquarters in Japan, we feel a responsibility to give back to them,” said Kenichiro Ito, a senior executive officer of DENSO Corporation and chief executive officer of DENSO’s North American headquarters. “Veterans’ skillsets apply well to manufacturing, and with our support, they can flourish within it. As a result, veterans make vital impacts to our daily operations and are quick to advance to bigger roles – a process that strengthens their career development and the company.”

One individual who embodies that process is Kevin Carson. In 1999, after serving in the Navy on submarines, Carson began working at DENSO’s thermal manufacturing facility in Battle Creek, Michigan, as a team leader of radiator assembly. Soon after, he began climbing DENSO’s ranks. Today, he is the facility’s president, leading a team of 3,000 employees who produce thermal systems and components for automakers in the U.S. and around the world.

“DENSO’s core values are consistent with those that military members have lived while serving,” said Carson. “If you come in and perform, it will be recognized and opportunities will follow. From my own experience and that of others, veterans have the ability to really excel here. We love the diverse experiences and perspectives they bring.”

While opportunities for veterans to advance are critical, so too are networks to support them. That is why Jack Carlsen, a machine tech leader, and Cindy Dawson, an advanced computer operator, both veterans in Battle Creek, launched the DENSO Veterans Network, a resource group for former, current and reservist service members to connect, get acclimated to the company and lift up one another.

In 2019, DENSO’s Battle Creek facility was recognized by the Michigan Veterans Affairs Association as a Veteran-Friendly Employer for its commitment to hiring, training and retaining military veterans.

Other DENSO locations that have high veteran populations include Maryville, Tennessee; Osceola, Arkansas; and Guelph, Ontario. All of DENSO’s North American locations are intent on attracting veterans to the company and giving them tools to succeed.

Know a veteran interested in a manufacturing career in production or skilled trades? Send them this link – densocareers.com – so they can see how they can expand their skills in a rewarding job and change how the world moves.

To all veterans, we thank you for your service today, and every day.

About DENSO
DENSO is a $47.6 billion global mobility supplier that develops advanced technology and components for nearly every vehicle make and model on the road today. With manufacturing at its core, DENSO invests in its 200 facilities to produce thermal, powertrain, mobility, electrification, & electronic systems, to create jobs that directly change how the world moves. The company’s 170,000+ employees are paving the way to a mobility future that improves lives, eliminates traffic accidents, and preserves the environment. Globally headquartered in Kariya, Japan, DENSO spent 9.9 percent of its global consolidated sales on research and development in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2020. For more information about global DENSO, visit https://www.denso.com/global.

In North America, DENSO is headquartered in Southfield, Michigan, and employs 27,000+ engineers, researchers and skilled workers across 51 sites in the U.S, Canada and Mexico. In the United States alone, DENSO employs 17,700+ employees across 14 states (and the District of Columbia) and 41 sites. In fiscal year ending March 31, 2020, DENSO in North America generated $10.9 billion in consolidated sales. DENSO is committed to advancing diversity and inclusion inside the company and beyond – a principle that brings unique perspectives together, bolsters innovation and pushes DENSO forward. Join us, and craft not only how the world moves, but also your career: densocareers.com. For more information, go to https://www.denso.com/us-ca/en/.