Category: News

ML Industries was recently awarded a long term program with NHK Seating of America, Inc. to produce trim covers for the Subaru Legacy. NHK is a world-class manufacturer of automotive seats and safety units in North America and is headquartered in Frankfort, IN. The Legacy is one of Subaru’s longest running models. Start of Production (SOP) will be in late February at MLI’s 166,000 square foot, state-of-the-art facility located in San Pedro, Coahuila, Mexico that is 40 minutes northeast of Torreon. President and CEO Mickey Dunn stated, “It is very exciting to see MLI to continue diversifying both its customer base and product mix. NHK is another top-tier, Japanese company for whom we have worked diligently to win their trust, respect, and long term business. I expect nothing but success as we grow with NHK.”

ML Industries is a 27 year old automotive components manufacturing company with more than 5,000 employees in five different countries including the US and Mexico.

On January 21, 2014, ML Industries lost a key member of its management team. Mr. Kunio (Ken) Inamura passed away unexpectedly of complications from emergency open heart surgery at Riverside Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. Ken is survived by his loving wife, Kathy, two daughters, and a son.

Ken began his career with ML Industries on November 1, 2010. During the past three years, Ken was instrumental in diversifying both ML Industries’ customer base and product mix by leading the company into the trim cover business. Ken was able to land top-tier, global customers such as TS Tech (Honda), NHK (Subaru), and Bloomington Seating Corporation (Mitsubishi).

President and CEO Mickey Dunn said, “Ken played a vital role in the growth of MLI over the past three years. During his time with us, the company grew from 2,000 associates to over 3,500 associates. He always thought outside-the-box, giving MLI a significant advantage over our competitors. Ken took us to levels we simply would never have achieved without his incredible personality and talent. He was a tremendous executive and a very close friend and mentor to me personally. He helped MLI understand the Japanese culture and be successful in the trim business. I personally feel like I have a hole in my heart that will take a very long time to heal. We will never be able to replace his talent, but, Ken’s spirit will live in each of us and encourage us to be the best that we can possibly be.”

ML Industries has lost a great talent in Kunio (Ken) Inamura. His expertise and direction-changing contributions will forever be part of MLI’s history.

July, 2013

MLI receives ISO 9001:2008 certification of its quality management systems at all manufacturing locations. Each facility was independently audited and confirmed as compliant with standards established by the International Organization for Standardization. This designation provides all MLI stakeholders the assurance that MLI has processes in place for continual improvement and that conformity to customer and applicable statutory and regulatory requirements are consistently met.

MLI is a 24 year old privately held company with manufacturing operations in north central Mexico

November 26, 2012

MLI has recently been notified by Autoliv North America that it has won three Chrysler programs that will begin production in November of 2013. The programs will run through 2019 and total around 750K airbags per year. MLI will manufacture these programs in its San Pedro, Mexico plant.

MLI is a 22 year old privately held company with manufacturing operations in north central Mexico.

October 16, 2012

ML Industries, Incorporated (MLI) continues to experience strong growth in 2012 in spite of a slow recovery in the US economy. President and CEO, Mickey Dunn, stated that MLI has hired over 1,000 new associates in 2012 bringing the company’s total employment to over 3,200. “We feel blessed that we are seeing this type growth in all phases of our business in an economy that is less than stellar. It is not just our automotive division but non-automotive as well and we are pleased with this as we are able to continue a diversified customer base and product mix at MLI.”

In 2011 MLI’s total employment rose from 1,200 associates to over 2,000 by year end. Dunn said that the growth has been significant but well controlled and MLI is positioned to continue this growth through 2013. “We are all about our people and the strengths that they possess to continue to carry this company to levels beyond expectation. We have a well-motivated, hard working group of individuals that work as one with the same focus, determination and goals to be very successful.”

In closing Dunn said “this has been an exciting year at MLI to say the least. We have experienced, once again, unprecedented growth and have managed this growth extremely well. All of us at MLI are very excited about the continued opportunities we have in front of us.”

ML Industries, Incorporated is a 22 year old privately held company with manufacturing operations in northern Mexico.

February 2, 2012

MLI has been notified by Autoliv North America that it has been awarded the Ford CD3.9/4.1 passenger side airbag. Production will begin in April of 2012 and will be for approximately 450K airbags annually. The Ford CD3.9/4.1 will be installed in the Ford Fusion in North America which is one of Ford’s top selling vehicles.

MLI has also announced the Ford Fusion airbag will be manufactured in its San Pedro, Mexico plant north east of Torreon, Coahuila. MLI will hire an additional 130 associates to handle this new, long term product.

MLI is a 22 year old company with manufacturing plants in north central Mexico.

October 28 , 2011

MLI President and CEO Mickey Dunn has announced that it will purchase all assets of Canadian based Vikeda International’s Saltillo, Coahuila Mexico operation effective October 31, 2011. MLI will also take responsibility for the 250 plus employees as well as assume a joint venture relationship with Vikeda’s customer TS Tech North America. TS Tech North America is a Japanese owned interior company that is a supplier to the Honda Motor Corporation.

Dunn stated “This is a significant strategic move for MLI and puts us solidly in a buisness that we have been trying to penetrate for the last few years. We will now enjoy a long term relationship with one of the most respected Tier I suppliers in the automotive interior industry.”

The Saltillo, Mexico operation will continue to manufacture car seat sets for the Honda Civic one on Honda’s largest selling vehicles.

In closing Dunn stated “This is a tremendous day for the MLI team as we embark on a new opportunity that will be both challenging and rewarding. This new relationship will allow us to continue our goal of diversifying both product mix and customer base.”

MLI is a 21 year old company with over 1,800 employees and is a leading manufacturer of automotive airbags, commercial vehicle interiors, industrial covers, embroidered products and automotive seat inserts.

September 20 , 2011

MLI has been notified by Autoliv Brazil that it has been awarded the Fiat 178/370 passenger side airbag(PAB) contract. The vehicles spec’d with this product will be manufactured and sold in Brazil. The airbags will be manufactured in MLI’s San Pedro, Mexico facility near Torreon in the state of Coahuila. Production will begin in June of 2012 and run through June 2017. Annual production is expected to be 180,000 airbags.

MLI President and CEO Mickey Dunn stated “This is a tremendous opportunity for MLI to become a very important player in the Brazilian automotive market. We are thrilled to have the confidence of Autoliv Brazil and Autoliv North America to award us this opportunity.”

MLI has approximately 1,800 employees and manufactures 200,000 airbags per week.