​JR Automation Wins Hitachi Inspiration of the Year Global Award for its Collaboration with General Motors in Deploying a Medical Face Mask Assembly Line in Six Days

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Relations Contact:
Lizzie Uhl
Marketing & Corporate Communications Manager
JR Automation
+ 1 616.335.7371
luhl@jrautomation.com 

JR Automation Wins Hitachi Inspiration of the Year Global Award for its Collaboration with General Motors in Deploying a Medical Face Mask Assembly Line in Six Days

Holland, MI – October 27, 2020 – JR Automation, a leading global systems integrator and wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501), announced they have been selected for the Grand Prix Award for the Hitachi Inspiration of the Year Global Awards for the Americas 2020. The JR Automation submission titled, “General Motors Collaborates with JR Automation to make 50,000+ Face Masks a Day” was selected from 40 nominations submitted by Hitachi Group Companies across the Americas.

“We are pleased to receive this prestigious award and to be recognized by Hitachi for our spirit of innovation and dedication to powering good in the world,” said Bryan Jones, Chief Executive Officer at JR Automation. “JR Automation is truly honored to partner with customers like General Motors to help combat COVID-19 and support our dedicated medical workers on the front lines every day.”

The Hitachi Inspiration of the Year Global Awards program is a long-standing tradition at Hitachi, recognizing remarkable activities that contribute to enhancing Hitachi’s brand value by demonstrating the Hitachi Group Identity. The award also nurtures a “One Hitachi” mindset among all Hitachi Group employees. Mr. Koji “Ken” Takaichi, President and CEO of Hitachi America, Ltd., helped select the award winners alongside Mr. Toshiaki Tokunaga, Chairman of Hitachi Global Digital Holdings and Chairman of Hitachi Vantara, and Mr. Hicham Abdessamad, Chairman of Hitachi America, Ltd. and General Manager of Social Innovation Business Division, Hitachi, Ltd.

Kevin Whaley, Vice President at Esys Automation, will accept the award on behalf of JR Automation in a virtual ceremony scheduled for December 9, 2020.

About JR Automation

Established in 1980, JR Automation is a leading provider of intelligent automated manufacturing and technology solutions that solve customers’ key operational and productivity challenges. JR Automation serves customers across the globe in a variety of industries, including automotive, life sciences, aerospace, and more.

In 2019, JR Automation was acquired by Hitachi, Ltd. In a strategic effort towards offering a seamless connection between the physical and cyber space for industrial manufacturers and distributers worldwide. With this partnership, JR Automation provides customers a unique, single-source solution for complete integration of their physical assets and data information; offering greater speed, flexibility, and efficiencies towards achieving their Industry 4.0 visions. JR Automation employs over 2,000 people at 23 manufacturing facilities in North America, Europe, and Asia.

About Hitachi, Ltd.

Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is focusing on Social Innovation Business combining its operational technology, information technology and products. The company’s consolidated revenues for fiscal 2018 (ended March 31, 2019) totaled 9,480.6 billion yen ($85.4 billion), and the company has approximately 296,000 employees worldwide. Hitachi delivers digital solutions utilizing Lumada in five sectors including Mobility, Smart Life, Industry, Energy and IT, to increase our customer’s social, environmental and economic value. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company’s website at https://www.hitachi.com.

For additional information, contact Lizzie Uhl at +1 616.335.7371.