Frequently Asked Questions
General
In a nutshell, what does Somic do?
Industry leading organization and process management processes stand at Somic’s core, allowing us to bring metals from forgings to finished product, making the steering components millions of drivers depend on. Each machine utilizes the Japanese Kanban pull-system, created at Toyota over 70 years ago.
Where are you located?
Somic America has two factories, one in Whytheville, VA & one in Brewer, Maine.
What is the difference between the Maine & Virginia offices?
Somic America, Inc is one company with two factories. Our executive team is dispersed between the two locations.
Is Somic a Japanese company?
Yes. Somic America, Inc is a subsidiary of Somic Ishikawa, which is located in Hamamatsu, Japan. Somic has been in business for over 100 years. We are part of a global network with factories in 12 different countries. It isn’t uncommon for our team members to travel to Europe & Asia to learn from our partners.
What is our Quality Policy?
Somic America provides safety critical products that meet or exceed customer expectations. We commit to highest safety, quality and delivery standards. We are committed to innovation through continuing education, continual improvement, cost competitiveness, and control of processes.
What is Kaizen?
Kaizen is a Japanese philosophy of continuous improvement. It is based on the concept of little changes compounding to make large change. We empower our staff to identify ways to improve and streamline our processes, and we measure those impacts.
What is Somic’s Environmental Pledge?
Somic America is committed to pollution prevention and continual improvement of its environmental management system. We commit to a system of establishing and tracking the progress of environmental objectives and targets and compliance to all applicable legal and customer requirements. We are working toward Toyota’s pledge to reduce carbon emissions by 3% each year.
Career
Do I need to have a college education to work at Somic?
No. Somic America provides on-the-job training opportunities for entry level positions. There are opportunities for career development including tuition reimbursement. Many of our executive leaders began their careers on the factory floor.
What benefits are available to staff?
Our staff enjoy the following benefits, and the list often grows: Health insurance, (medical, dental, vision & cancer care), short-term & long-term disability, life insurance, accidental death & dismemberment, 401k match up to 4%, EAP (up to 100% of behavioral & mental health services), Employee Wellness Program, Paid Time Off, paid holidays, bereavement leave, FMLA, Tuition reimbursement & step increases.
What are the plant’s operating hours?
1st shift: 7:00am-3:00pm with a paid lunch
2nd shift: 3:00pm-11:0pm with a paid lunch and $2 hourly premium
3rd shift: 11:00pm-7:00am with a paid lunch and $2 hourly premium
How long have you been in business?
Somic America has been operating in the US for over 32 years. You may be familiar with our previous ownership, ZF Lemforder & BAC.
What industry standards do you adhere to?
We proudly adhere to IATF16949 & ISO14001.
Contact Us
General Enquiries
Have a question you do not see answered above? Please send us a message via our contact form. We’ll pass it along to the team members best equipped to get you an answer quickly.
If your organization wants to apply for a donation from Somic America, please use the Donation Request form.