Manufacturing

Roland Corporate Office

Ikutaro Kakehashi founded Ace Electronics in 1960. Kakehashi wanted to make digital musical instruments for people who had no musical experience, such as himself.

The name Roland was designed for export purposes and Kakehashi believed it was easy to pronounce and remember.

Kakehashi took 7 employees from Ace Electronics and put them to work in a shed. They created a drum machine called the TR-77. This was Roland’s first product.

When Kakehashi realized in the 1980s that microprocessors could be used to make music, the company created several instruments that have had a lasting impression on music.

In 1991 the company released a digital synthesizer with multiple slides, which became one of the company’s biggest sellers.

In 2020, the company released a music machine that can make complete tracks, including lyrics, without the use of a computer.

Roland has a corporate office in North America, located in Los Angeles, California.

Roland Corporation

Ikutaro Kakehashi founded Ace Electronics in 1960. Kakehashi wanted to make digital musical instruments for people who had no musical experience, such as himself.

The name Roland was designed for export purposes and Kakehashi believed it was easy to pronounce and remember.

Kakehashi took 7 employees from Ace Electronics and put them to work in a shed. They created a drum machine called the TR-77. This was Roland’s first product.

History

When Kakehashi realized in the 1980s that microprocessors could be used to make music, the company created several instruments that have had a lasting impression on music.

In 1991 the company released a digital synthesizer with multiple slides, which became one of the company’s biggest sellers.

In 2020, the company released a music machine that can make complete tracks, including lyrics, without the use of a computer.

Roland has a corporate office in North America, located in Los Angeles, California.

Rivian was founded in 2009 by MIT graduate and CEO Robert Scaringe. Originally named Avera, the name was changed shortly after to Rivian. The company began focusing on autonomous, electric vehicles in 2011.

The company relocated to Liviona, Michigan, to be closer to suppliers. Rivian began working exclusively on electric, autonomous vehicles.

In 2016, it was rumored that the company was considering purchasing a manufacturing plant previously owned by Mitsubishi in Illinois. In 2017, Rivian did purchase both the plant and the contents for $16 million. This plant in Normal, Illinois, has become Rivian’s primary North American manufacturing facility.

In February 2019, Amazon announced that it was investing in the company for delivery vans, as well as Ford Motor Company, which invested $500 million.

As of late 2019, the company employed more than 1,000 persons. Rivian says it will not use franchised dealers to sell their vehicles. Rather, the company has hinted that it will instead rely on a subscription service.

The company maintains headquarters in Plymouth, Michigan.

Rivian

The company relocated to Liviona, Michigan, to be closer to suppliers. Rivian began working exclusively on electric, autonomous vehicles.

History

In February 2019, Amazon announced that it was investing in the company for delivery vans, as well as Ford Motor Company, which invested $500 million.

The company maintains headquarters in Plymouth, Michigan.

Audi Corporate Office

Car manufacturer Audi can trace its roots back to 1910 when August Horch created the August Horch Automobilwerke company. While trying to choose a name for his car, Horch’s son remarked that while the name Horch meant “hear” the word “Audi”, which means to listen, might be a better choice.

While the company went through numerous changes over the years, it was in 1969 that Audi NSU Auto Union was formed. Volkswagen introduced the Audi brand to the USA in 1970 with the Audi 100.

Audi remained a very conservative brand until the mid-1990s when the company decided to compete against the luxury brands of Mercedes Benz and BMW. Audi sales have continued to rise throughout the 2000s, with one of their strongest markets being China, where Audi is the formal car driven by government officials.

Outside of Germany, the company has manufacturing plants located in Mexico, China, India, Hungary, Indonesia, Belgium, Spain, and Slovakia.

Audi remains a division of Volkswagen. The company admits that a minimum of 2.1 million vehicles were involved in the Volkswagen emission software scandal. In May 2019, Audi announced a recall of Q5 SUVs for potential brake failure.

Audi has been involved in LeMans racing for decades but only recently has delved into the Formula One racing program.

The main headquarters for Audi remains in Germany, with the USA headquarters located in Herndon, Virginia.

Audi USA

While the company went through numerous changes over the years, it was in 1969 that Audi NSU Auto Union was formed. Volkswagen introduced the Audi brand to the USA in 1970 with the Audi 100.

History

Outside of Germany, the company has manufacturing plants located in Mexico, China, India, Hungary, Indonesia, Belgium, Spain, and Slovakia.

Audi has been involved in LeMans racing for decades but only recently has delved into the Formula One racing program.

The main headquarters for Audi remains in Germany, with the USA headquarters located in Herndon, Virginia.

WeatherTech Corporate Office

While in London in 1988, David MacNeil noticed that the floor mats in his rented E-class Mercedes Benz not only fit perfectly, but they were molded so they went up around the edges, preventing water and mud from touching the floor. This made MacNeil wonder why every floor mat was not designed this way.

The following year, MacNeil founded WeatherTech. While he originally imported mats from the UK, he planned on moving everything to the USA as soon as possible; production, materials, marketing, everything.

MacNeil is zealous about America and using American workers. “If my neighbor doesn’t have a job because of outsourcing, then one day I won’t have a job either.” MacNeil is fond of repeating. “Experts” continually told him that you couldn’t build a manufacturing plant in the US or that American workers “cost too much,” MacNeil says he simply didn’t listen to the experts.

The factory, located in Bolingbrook, Illinois, offers tours. Everything the company does and produces is now made in the USA.

The company started off manufacturing floor mats but has since added cup holder inserts that hold a mobile phone, protectors for rear seats, car care products, steering wheel covers, and more.

MacNeil was a supporter of Donald Trump, but it is unknown where that stands now since, in 2018, he stated that he wanted Congress and the president to legalize DACA immigrants. One of his employees was (at that time) a DACA member and he doesn’t understand why DACA members aren’t made citizens.

Company headquarters and customer service are located in Bolingbrook, Illinois.

WeatherTech

History

The factory, located in Bolingbrook, Illinois, offers tours. Everything the company does and produces is now made in the USA.

The company started off manufacturing floor mats but has since added cup holder inserts that hold a mobile phone, protectors for rear seats, car care products, steering wheel covers, and more.

Company headquarters and customer service are located in Bolingbrook, Illinois.

Schwinn Bicycles Corporate Office

Schwinn Bicycle Company was originally founded as Arnold, Schwinn and Company in Chicago, Illinois, in 1895 by Ignaz Schwinn and financial backer Fredrick Arnold. Before the automobile, bicycles were common and Chicago was the heart of bicycle manufacturing.

By the early 1900’s, however, bicycles fell out of fashion and sales declined to about 25% of their previous high. Schwinn survived by acquiring competitors and building a state of the art manufacturing facility.

In 1954, the company introduced the “Corvette” bicycle, a style that was so popular, it continued to be made for the next 10 years. In 1963, however, sales for the Corvette hit rock bottom when the Sting Ray model was introduced. The Sting Ray remained the #1 selling bicycle for the next 20 years, however, tastes were changing and people were more interested in streamlined bicycles and, later, mountain bikes.

Schwinn encountered serious problems including unionization of workers, steep inflation, and cheap imports from other countries. In September 2001, Schwinn and GT were sold at a bankruptcy auction to Pacific Cycle.

The company currently sells two styles of bicycles under different names through a variety of retailers, such as Walmart and Target.

Schwinn hopes to win over new customers with the introduction of a new electric bicycle.

Due to the increased popularity of bicycles during the coronavirus, Schwinn created an indoor bike that cost one third of the popular Peloton.

Company headquarters are located in Madison, Wisconsin.

Schwinn Bicycles

History

The company currently sells two styles of bicycles under different names through a variety of retailers, such as Walmart and Target.

Schwinn hopes to win over new customers with the introduction of a new electric bicycle.

Due to the increased popularity of bicycles during the coronavirus, Schwinn created an indoor bike that cost one third of the popular Peloton.

Company headquarters are located in Madison, Wisconsin.