Seigo Hanji, Chairman and CEO of Daido Metal, 1215 Greenwood, addressed employees and visitors during a party Tuesday, Sept. 10, at the facility in celebration of its 40th anniversary of operation in Bellefontaine.
In his translated remarks, Mr. Hanji praised the work done at the facility over the past four decades, going on to cite Simon and Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water” as an analogy for the problems faced by Daido during the COVID pandemic, problems that he said have since been rectified. He jokingly said that he planned to sing the song for those gathered, but throat problems prevented the performance.
Parts made at the Daido Metal Bellefontaine facility are used by scores of companies around the world to build automobiles, motorcycles and marine engines, as well has hardware used in heavy construction and agricultural machines.
A buffet lunch was served to attendees followed by a gift raffle, a tree planting and the burial of a time capsule, which is scheduled to be opened 20 years from now.
Mr. Hanji said that he is currently 82 years of age and is looking looks forward to returning to the United States when he is 102 years old to assist in opening the time capsule.