Investigation into Japanese business has ties to Monroeville factory

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - An anti-monopoly investigation into a business in Japan has ties to an auto parts manufacturer in Monroeville. 

The Japan Fair Trade Commission has been investigating Mitsuba , the parent company of American Mitsuba in Monroeville, since July of 2011.

American Mitsuba builds parts for windshield wipers for some Japanese cars.

According to the Fort Wayne-Allen County Economic Development Alliance, American Mitsuba has more than 250 full-time employees at its Monroeville facility.  The alliance was not sure how many part-time and temporary workers the factory employed.

Earlier in November, the Japan Fair Trade Commission fined the Japanese company $13.5 million for price-fixing auto parts.

According to Ashley Steenman, the alliance's vice president of business development, when the Japan Fair Trade Commission made the announcement, officials at American Mitsuba explained the investigation to workers at the Monroeville facility.

"They held a meeting with them last week or this week," Steenman said.  "They didn't want anyone to speculate they were going to lose their jobs."

Leaders at both the alliance and in the town of Monroeville said American Mitsuba has been a great employer for the community.

"Our experience with that company has always been excellent," Donny Gerardot, the president of the town council, said.  "Whatever they tell you they'll do, they do it.  They're a good employer.  They employ several hundred people and we couldn't ask for anybody better."

Steenman said she has spoken with American Mitsuba leaders, who have been advised to not comment on the investigation.

In May, the alliance helped find $8.5 million to help American Mitsuba expand its warehouse and purchase more equipment.  Part of the money came from the state of Indiana, which has rules when giving out money to businesses.

"The state of Indiana requires that you continue to maintain those jobs and your business here in the state of Indiana for at least 10 years," Steenman said.

Steenman said she and the alliance is confident the workers at the Monroeville facility will not lose their jobs.

"I was reassured that any of the rumors of job layoffs and plant closures were just that, and they're untrue," she said.  "American Mitsuba has been a successful operation and the company continues to invest in the facility."

American Mitsuba opened its Monroeville facility in 1997.