Visit to JVC America, Inc.

JVC Facility

On April 5, 2013, members of the Consulate visited JVC America Inc. (JAI) in Tuscaloosa, AL and were briefed on their operations and activities by Mr. Shigeru Hirano, President & CEO, and Mr. J. Brad Springer, CFO and Treasurer. Afterwards they had a plant tour guided by Mr. Robert Morris, Operations Manager, and later joined by Mr. Tadayoshi Iwata, Senior Vice President.

JAI was established by Victor Company of Japan (JVC) in Tuscaloosa in 1987 as its manufacturing/ distribution unit of optical media and has been one of the leading companies in the industry. In its early years, JAI was recognized as a CD replicator with emphasis on music CDs, including major media companies such as MCA, Bertelsmann Music Group (including RCA/Arista Label, BMG Club) among its customers. Later, the company diversified its production to meet the needs of new media innovations. Today, JAI is an acclaimed manufacturer of various media including music CDs, CD-ROMs, and DVDs. As an indicator of other important aspects of JAI, it was selected by Microsoft as a launch partner for its Xbox videogame system in 2001. JAI has been a leading replicator of interactive games and entertainment software ever since. In 2008, JAI became an operation unit of JVC Kenwood Corporation, a company created by the merger of JVC and Kenwood Electronics. JVC offers comprehensive logistics and fulfillment services at the JVC Fulfillment Center in Kennesaw, GA which was opened in 1996.

JAI has been a good corporate citizen in Tuscaloosa not only by its contribution to the local economy by bringing jobs, but also with its support for promoting Japan and Japanese culture for years. In addition, when Tuscaloosa and its vicinity was severely hit by a tornado in April 2011, JAI donated dozens of wireless radios to the city authorities in support of their relief efforts in the aftermath of the devastating disaster.

Disc Production Process

Disc Production Process

Packaging Process

At the Tuscaloosa Sakura Matsuri JVC Booth; from right, Vice President Iwata and his family, Consul Yoshimura, Mrs. Yukiko Gilbert, President Hirano, and Consul Yamamitsu