Clarification: An earlier version of this story misindentified the CEO of the portion of Panasonic that was at the gathering in Japan that Teufel attended. Hutch Post regrets the error.
NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce CEO Debra Teufel was part of a group from Kansas that went to Japan to make connections with companies from there in hopes to bring jobs back to the Sunflower State.
"It's actually a group called Team Kansas that Hutchinson is a member of," Teufel said. "The reason for our membership in Team Kansas is obviously to promote the message of investment in Kansas from companies around the globe. The reason we were in Japan is because of the relationship that an organization called the Midwest U.S. Japan Conference has. We are one of ten states in this Midwest U.S. Japan Conference. That's been a decades long relationship. Governor Kelly, as well as our community, the Kansas City area community, Olathe and some education partners, were there to spread the message about why Kansas is a place that companies in Japan would want to invest, but also thanking those that are Japanese firms that have invested in our communities."
Teufel spoke about a meeting she was able to have on Hutchinson's behalf.
"We have a firm right here in our community, Takako Industries, that we benefited from the investment over 30 years ago, all because of a man named Mr. Ishizaki, who learned about Hutchinson, learned about a site in our industrial park and Hutchinson made it very easy for him to find his way here and invest here in a facility," Teufel said. "That company has just celebrated their 50th year in Japan, in Kyoto. We had the opportunity to actually meet the founder, Mr. Ishizaki. He has since sold Takako and it's owned by a company called KYB, but it was great to get to meet him and thank him for that vision 30 years ago to invest in Takako Industries."
The conference itself gave Teufel an opportunity to do even more networking for Kansas and for Hutchinson.
"We were in Tokyo only two and a half days, but it was a very impactful two and a half days," Teufel said. "One of the things that we did get to do was meet with the U.S. Ambassador to Japan. The governors all met with him one on one. He kind of kicked off the conference, Rahm Emanuel. We got to actually visit his residence. He hosted an event there where those from the states and those from Japan could network. Then, we spent about a day and a half in the conference sessions, having meetings and then, from there, went on by train to Osaka. It was in Osaka that I got to meet Mr. Ishizaki. We hosted a reception in Osaka to also recognize the investment that Panasonic is making in the state of Kansas. As you know, they are investing in Desoto, Kansas. It's a large investment."
Panasonic Energy CEO, Kazuo Tadanobu, is happy to be bringing the battery plant to Kansas.
"He gave glowing remarks about why they chose Kansas and the experience they are having thus far in investing here," Teufel said. "That testimonial is important, because the others in the room that are looking at Kansas got the opportunity to hear that message. They continue to look at other ways to invest in our state and they hope to bring more suppliers here."
The $4 billion Panasonic investment is expected to create up to 4,000 new jobs, which represents the largest economic development project in Kansas history.
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