North American Lighting celebrates 40 years in Salem

North American Lighting celebrated the 40th anniversary of the operation of its Salem plant with activities on Wednesday.

President/Chief Operating Officer Kishore Ahuja spoke to employees who have been with the company for 25 or more years to start the celebration.

“It’s a sign of dedication and loyalty to NAL to its team members and team members to NAL that makes it happen.  And I also think because the community of Salem is so supportive it’s a great partnership between the employees, the community, and NAL that has made the growth and Salem plant more successful.”

The Salem plant came online shortly after the start of the company in Flora in 1983. The company has grown to ten facilities with 6,000 employees and anticipates sales of $ 1.5 billion this year. NAL is now the number one supplier of headlights and number two for rear combo lights.

Ahuja says the company needs to continue to work for better communication and continue to improve an already good training system for new employees.

“For the future, we need to start hiring solid employees that will be the backbone of the Salem plant for the future.  I would like to request a collaboration between the Salem plant and the community, let’s engage with the high schools and KC and enhance that so we have a stream of people coming in so we can keep taking care of customers and keep going.”

Ahuja noted of their current workforce of 1,300 more than 200 have been at the Salem plant for 20 or more years.

Salem Mayor Nic Farley was on hand to offer his congratulations and to thank NAL for being a vital employer for four decades.

“Since opening in 1987 it has grown from an 80,000 sq ft facility to today it’s over 450,000 square feet and it is a benchmark for the best in class and production.  So on behalf of the city of Salem, I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to NAL and all the workers who come in every day and make sure you put out quality products.  This is a momentous occasion, and your success is our success.  We look forward to 40 more years and beyond.”

Plant Assistant General Manager Josh Burkett closed the program by noting everything that has changed since the plant’s opening in 1983 and then shared his thoughts on arrival at the Salem plant.

“I have worked at all the other facilities for an extended period of time and joined the Salem team this past December and it was very obvious very early the connection between people at this facility.  It was very obvious those connections have led to this longevity.  It really is something.”

Assistant General Manager Shelly Bodine opened the program by noting that NAL has allowed two and a half million vehicle owners to travel safely with the use of their light assemblies. She expressed how proud that made her, and she hoped other employees as well when they saw their light assemblies on vehicles traveling down the road.

Employees were treated to a catered lunch and a longer lunch break on Wednesday as part of the celebration. Some special gifts were also handed out.