Columbus NTN Driveshaft threw a party recently, and it had good reason to celebrate.
More than 2,500 people gathered April 29 at the company’s Walesboro location to celebrate the Japan-based parent company’s 100th anniversary.
What’s equally important is the company’s decision in 1989 to build a $97 million facility in Columbus that would employ 250 workers.
NTN, which makes bearings for the automotive and the construction, agricultural machinery and machine tool industries, was one of the first 10 Asian-based companies to commit to Columbus for expansion. It’s facility opened in 1991.
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Through the 2000s, the company expanded at least 11 times in Columbus, investing about $500 million and growing to about 1,700 employees. It is one of the top three manufacturing employers in the city.
Not only has the community benefited from NTN’s presence through jobs and taxes, but also the company’s significant impact with charitable contributions. NTN’s Columbus operation aids the community in a variety of ways, including:
- Sponsorship of the Bartholomew Reads Literacy Festival
- Support of Foundation For Youth as a Cornerstone Partner
- Ranking among the top 10 corporate donors to the United Way of Bartholomew County’s annual campaign, which supports nonprofit organizations
- Support of Ivy Tech Columbus’ program that allows students to receive job experience while pursuing their degrees
NTN is a success story as a company, and as a venture in Columbus. Its relationship with the city is an example of how a company and municipality working together can benefit both.
