CONTACT US ABOUT UGN FACILITIES PRODUCTS CAREERS MEDIA Video Player About UGN ABOUT UGN Our Mission & Values Our Team Our History Environmental Responsibility Awards & Recognition Conflict Mineral Policy Our Mission, Values and Operating Principles Mission: Sound Leadership Through Exceptional People UGN, Inc. was founded in 1986 as a partnership between Nihon Tokushu Toryo Co. Ltd., (Nittoku), and Autoneum Holding AG. We are the preferred producer of high-quality acoustic, interior trim, thermal management products, and a recognized leader in customer satisfaction for the Japanese transplant automotive industry in North America. Since 2002, our leader, Peter Anthony, has reconfigured the manufacturing strategy to enhance profitability and lower cost. He has also aggressively applied Toyota Production Systems throughout the organization to create a culture of continuous improvement and standardization, resulting in material, labor, and overhead savings. Our Values –The UGN Way Our deeply rooted values are Respect, Trust & Communication Company culture is the DNA of an organization. It motivates and guides us to accomplish our mission and vision in a manner that treats our customers and fellow Team Members with the highest regard for their success and well-being. We call this The UGN Way. It is based on building and demonstrating respect and trust while communicating effectively in everything we do. Operating Principles Sustainability: UGN regards protection of the environment as paramount and endeavors to maintain its ISO14001 certification. UGN is committed to minimizing waste through reducing, reusing, and recycling. Education: An organization’s Team Members are its most important asset. To ensure the continued growth and development of our Team Members, UGN offers learning and development opportunities through UGN University. UGN University provides Team Members with a common shared vision of the organization, its core values, and its culture, while enhancing their technical and leadership skills. UGN University’s mission is to support Team Member development through innovative online learning, classroom, and on-the-job training. Community Outreach With a focus on the community, each facility gives back. Below is a list of charities we proudly support: Our Team Our team members are the source of the UGN difference. They possess a broad range of experience, a highly diverse skill set, and a shared sense of commitment. UGN encourages team members to take part in crafting the UGN culture. It is this culture that drives UGN forward. Our Management Team Peter Anthony President and CEO Shelly Green Vice President of Human Resources Steven Hamilton Chief Financial Officer Grant Meseck Vice President of Sales and Marketing Ron Myotte Vice President of Purchasing, Program Management, Quality Emmanuel Reymond Vice President of Product Development Our History Front of the Chicago Heights building as it appeared in 1987. L to R: Unknown, T. Nakanishi, Jay Hedges, Charles Panici, R.A Christopher, Mr. Fuji (of Fuji Heavy Industries). Unknown, T. Nakanishi, Jay Hedges, Charles Panici, R.A Christopher, Mr. Fuji (of Fuji Heavy Industries). All things start with a small seed, as did this ever-growing joint-venture company. The conception was in December of 1980, when the CEO of Globe Industries (Robert Christopher) was invited to Japan to meet with the purchasing departments of Honda, Nissan, and Toyota. The reason? Those three companies were set to build automobile manufacturing plants in the United States, and would need suppliers of acoustic­ sound deadening materials. The major supplier of these products in Japan was the Nihon Tokushu Toryo Co, Ltd. Mr. Nakanishi, the owner and president of Nihon Tokushu Toryo Co, Ltd., was asked to recommend an American supplier. Sharing an acoustic technology agreement with a European company, Nihon Tokushu Toryo Co, Ltd. and Globe Industries were on common ground so it made sense for Nihon Tokushu Toryo Co, Ltd. to partner with Globe to create UGN. After a stringent review, Chicago-based Globe Industries began to supply dampeners, absorbers, and barriers to Honda in Marysville, Ohio, and then the others as their plants became operational. As demand grew each month with the post­ recession of 1979-82, the demand in America burgeoned for automobiles. It was apparent an additional plant would be required to meet the ever-increasing sales of the Japanese manufacturers. The gestation period of the December 1980 conception was over…the joint venture was at last birthed by two very cooperative parents: Nihon Tokushu Toryo Co, Ltd. and Globe Industries. Globe Industries provided an empty industrial building in Chicago Heights, Illinois, and the installation of manufacturing equipment was underway. Car floor pan dampers were the first product, followed by foam composites, cotton molded absorbers. After production had progressed, an official ribbon cutting was scheduled with local government officials and interested citizens attended the gala event on March 27, 1987. From the start, the venture was profitable, with sales increasing each month. Soon Toyota and Nissan had operating plants in the U.S., supplied by UGN. As other products were being needed by the Japanese plants, a second operation was commenced, named after its parent, UGN II. It made headliners and package trays. One important benefit of the creation of UGN was its employment of approximately 350 associates at the Chicago Heights location and 90 at UGN II the company was a good neighbor bringing not only jobs to previously high-unemployment areas, but many services and materials were purchased from local businesses. UGN was managed by a board of directors consisting of five members from Nihon Tokushu Toryo Co, Ltd., and five from Globe Industries. The Globe CEO was the UGN president from 1986-95, with manufacturing managed by Jim Christopher, marketing by John Christopher, and Peter Anthony as lead salesman. It was Peter who did much to build the image of UGN with its customers. His diligent and effective work led to him being elected president and CEO. Under his direction, UGN continued to grow, adding plants as the business grew. In 1995, Globe Industries and its 50 percent ownership of UGN, owned by Kingdon Gould and Robert Christopher, was sold to Rieter Holding AG, a major acoustic products supplier in Europe. The new partnership of Nihon Tokushu Toryo Co, Ltd. and Rieter Holding AG—now known as Autoneum—helped the company continue to expand and diversify. And, as the drumbeat of the company that started with a hurried trip to Japan in late 1980 continues to beat, what of its originators? Mr. Nakanishi, the man with the original vision and his able assistant, Mr. Suzuki, have both passed on, but helped leave a lasting legacy of jobs, dignity, and useful work. The Americans, Kingdon Gould, and Robert Christopher, spend their time today in charitable work. UGN Environmental Policy UGN will strive to design and manufacture automotive products in an environmentally sound manner. We will work to meet all federal, state, local and other regulations and/or requirements. We will continually improve our environmental performance and strive to prevent pollution of our environment. We will educate and train our team members to conduct their activities in an environmentally- responsible manner. As part of our annual facility business planning process, each facility will review environmental objectives and targets. Our Commitment to the Environment UGN’s Environmental Management System assures that UGN’s manufacturing, delivery, and recycling operations are processed under the control of our EMS system. The EMS System is designed to adhere to ISO 14001:2015 standard. The system assures conformance to legal requirements and the company’s environmental policy and provides objective evidence of effective control. UGN’s Environmental Policy, identifies management responsibilities, and references the procedures, and supporting EMS System documents and records. The system commits to continual improvement and ensures that interested parties are considered. UGN provides leadership to manage the system and communicate it throughout our organization. The EMS system complies with all regulatory requirements and is driven by the environmental objectives defined by management. The system is planned, implemented and reviewed while considering the context of our organization and all significant aspects are reviewed. Effectiveness is measured through internal audits, external audits, CARs and management review. All contractors are expected to comply with procedures for handling and transporting all hazardous substances, minimize waste through recycling, reuse and pollution prevention. All contractors must keep their area of work free of debris at all times and are expected to clean their work space upon completion of their project. UGN is committed to the enrichment of our environment. Environmental Responsibility To remain ISO 14001 certified, UGN protects the environment, an obligation to this earth we share with our customers, suppliers, team members, and the public. Our customers work to promote and achieve reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, which drive the use of lightweight materials composed primarily of recycled materials. This, combined with continuous improvements in the products and processes, allow positive movement for customers and the environment. As well, a rigorous environmental policy provides procedures to handle and transport all hazardous substances and to minimize waste through reducing, recycling, and reusing. Suppliers and contractors also comply with all local, federal, and state requirements, and are willing to partner with other suppliers to promote a greener future. The enrichment of our environment comes together with customers and suppliers. Awards & Recognition Through the core values of trust, respect, and communication, UGN strives to positively affect the lives of our Team Members where they live and work. The culture is built to inspire everyone toward excellence in their communities, through service. Our commitment to these core values has led to numerous awards, community involvement, and recognition. Awards Mazda Quality Excellence in Value Award National Safety Council – Occupational Excellence Achievement Award ISO/TS 16949 Certified ISO 14001 Certified Toyota Quality Performance Honda Supplier Performance Honda Green Factor Achievement Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year – UGN Somerset, KY facility Chris Greicius Society of Hope – this award is named for the young boy who inspired the founding of Make-A-Wish and is reserved for those donors who have cumulatively given in excess of $100,000 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist – Peter Anthony, Chief Executive Officer at UGN, named a 2013, 2014 and 2016 finalist for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award. The program recognizes those who demonstrate excellence and extraordinary success in such areas as innovation, financial performance, and personal commitment to their business and communities 2019 Best Places to Work in Illinois 2020 Best Places to Work in Illinois 2021 Best Places to Work in Illinois Internal Recognition David Jones Achievement Award This is named after David Jones who retired in December 2014 after 32 years of service with UGN. Through his dedication to UGN and its customers, David became the role model for all Team Members. The award recognizes one Team Member per calendar year which: Exemplifies the UGN core values of Respect, Trust and Communication Is a role model for dedication to the business and its customers Shows performance over and above the Team Member’s normal duties/responsibilities Suggests a significant Continuous Improvement and/or financial contribution to the business Esther Jones Achievement Award This award is named after Esther Jones who retired in April of 2020 after 36 years of service with UGN. Esther’s hard work, leading by example and willingness to make UGN better in everything she did, has made a lasting impact and us a stronger organization. She proved that a person from humble beginnings can find a career at UGN which will give anyone who wants to work hard the opportunity to be successful – no matter who they are. The award recognizes one Team Member per calendar year which: Goes the “extra” mile, not just doing their job but going above and beyond Takes pride in their work Always tries to improve, takes the initiative to learn new skills Is a role model to their peers by inspiring others to live UGN’s values of Respect, Trust and Communication Safety Recognition – UGN recognizes Team Members for their safety excellence and the role they play in creating a proactive safety environment UGN Awards and Customer Recognition Jackson, Tennessee Honda Service Parts Award Honda Supplier Performance Award Honda recognition for ISO14001 compliance National Safety Council Safety Award Corporate recognition for nine months with “0” PPM “Perfect Record Award,” National Safety Council Toyota Delivery Award Toyota Quality Award Manpower Safety Partner Award Honda Quality Performance Award Nissan Quality Performance Award Nissan Zero Defects Unipress Supplier Performance Award Rieter Top Three Plant for Performance Award Rieter Top 10 Plant Improvement Award Somerset, Kentucky The Honda Green Factory Achievement Award for Recognition ofGreen Factory Activities, Conservation of Natural Resources Toyota Delivery Award Toyota Quality Award Toyota Certificate of Quality Achievement Honda recognition for ISO14001 compliance Honda Quality Performance Award National Safety Council Safety Award Corporate recognition for nine months with “0” PPM “Perfect Record Award,” National Safety Council Manpower Safety Partner Award Valparaiso, Indiana Honda Quality Performance Award Honda EDI& Bar Code implementation Toyota Achievement Award, quality and delivery The Toyota One Way Kanban Labeling Certificate Toyota Certificate of Achievement, quality performance Subaru Quality Achievement Award Nissan Zero Defect Award Nissan Quality Master Award NUMMI Award Target of Achievement, delivery United Motors Target Achievement, delivery United Motors Target Achievement, quality, delivery Rieter Manufacturing Performance, 3rd place Ford Q1 Awards – Video Content Executives Peter Anthony Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year finalist, 2013: https://ugn.com/peter-anthony-entrepreneur-of-the-year-finalist-video/ Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year finalist, 2014: https://vimeo.com/98959754 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year finalist, 2016: https://ugn.com/ugn-president-ceo-peter-anthony-named-ey-entrepreneur-of-the-year-award-finalist-for-third-time/ Contact Us Questions? 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