Hidaka USA Marks 37 Years in Dublin, Ohio: Featured in Columbus Underground

Hidaka USA Featured in Columbus Underground

Hidaka USA, Inc. is a Japanese-founded sheet metal fabrication manufacturer in Dublin, Ohio that produces prototype and mass production steel and aluminum parts and assemblies for the automotive and railcar industries. After 37 years in Dublin, the company was profiled by Columbus Underground in "After 37 Years in Dublin, Hidaka USA Is Looking Toward Its Next Chapter." The feature covers how Hidaka USA came to Dublin, how it grew into rail and small-lot mass production, the people who make it run, and why its next chapter centers on railcar manufacturing.

Here is a look at the highlights, with more context on who we are and what we build. Read the full Columbus Underground feature.

Key Facts About Hidaka USA, Inc.

• Company: Hidaka USA, Inc., the U.S. company of Japanese parent Hidaka Seiki
• Established: 1989
• Leadership: Yoshihiro Hidaka, President and CEO; Diane Rosso, Executive Vice President
• Location: 5761 Shier Rings Road, Dublin, Ohio 43016, on a 22-acre property
• Growth: five facility expansions in 37 years
• Core services: prototype sheet metal fabrication and mass production manufacturing, including small-quantity production runs
• Industries served: automotive, railcar (since 2008), and other industries that need steel and aluminum parts and assemblies
• Community tradition: more than 200 cherry trees and an annual cherry blossom luncheon for the Dublin community

Why Hidaka USA Chose Dublin, Ohio

Hidaka USA's path to Central Ohio began with its Japanese parent company, Hidaka Seiki. The goal was to find property close to a major supplier so Hidaka USA could build a working relationship with that company. That search led to 22 acres in Dublin, where Hidaka USA was established in 1989.

The company was originally created to meet a need for higher-quality prototypes. Since then, Hidaka USA has expanded its workforce, equipment, technical expertise, and infrastructure to support full mass production, adding five expansions to the Dublin campus along the way.

A Relationship-First Approach to Manufacturing

Location may have brought Hidaka USA to Dublin, but relationships are what have kept the business growing. As Executive Vice President Diane Rosso told Columbus Underground:

"In the Japanese culture, the biggest thing is relationship. So we always want to build a relationship with any customer that we have."

That philosophy shapes how Hidaka USA works with engineering and purchasing teams, from the first prototype through long-term production programs. It also shows up in the company's workforce. Some employees have been with Hidaka USA for more than 15 years, and Rosso herself has been with the company for 25.

Railcar Manufacturing and Small Mass Production

Hidaka USA's capabilities have grown well beyond its automotive prototype roots. The company entered the railroad industry in 2008 and today produces railcar parts and assemblies such as railcar housings and assemblies and high-tensile stainless steel railcar side posts.

Hidaka USA has also built a niche in what Rosso describes as "small mass production manufacturing": smaller-quantity production jobs that larger manufacturers often cannot justify.

"Some of the bigger customers do not want to shut their line down for smaller quantities. We have the equipment that can handle those smaller mass production items."

For OEMs and tier suppliers, that means one partner can take a part from prototype sheet metal fabrication into low- and mid-volume production without the minimums or scheduling conflicts of a large stamping line. You can see examples in our case studies, including prototype automotive body panel assemblies and mass production automotive interior bracket stampings.

Building the Next Generation of Manufacturing Talent

Like many manufacturers, Hidaka USA knows that finding people with specialized skills, and people interested in manufacturing careers at all, can be a challenge. Human Resources Supervisor Katherine Flinn and Rosso both spoke to that in the feature. Hidaka's answer is to invest in people directly.

"We have a dynamic workforce here, and we are always willing to do on-the-job training. If you come to work and you want to work, we will train you."

If that sounds like the kind of place you want to build a career, visit our careers page.

The Cherry Blossoms and Hidaka's Ties to Dublin

Every April, more than 200 cherry trees bloom across Hidaka USA's 22-acre property. In Japanese culture, the blossoms represent new birth, and they have become the centerpiece of an annual luncheon that brings together City of Dublin officials and employees and friends of the company. The event now draws about 150 people. It started as a thank-you to the City of Dublin for its support, with Hidaka staff serving food under a small tent, and has grown alongside the company.

Hidaka USA's community ties reach well beyond its own property. President and CEO Yoshihiro Hidaka was named Business Person of the Year by the Dublin Chamber of Commerce in 2014, and in 2022 he and his wife, Keiko, were nominated as Dublin's Grand Leprechauns, an honor recognizing significant contributions to the community. He serves on the Dublin Methodist Hospital Development Board, has served on the Dublin Chamber of Commerce board, and is involved with the Japan-America Society of Central Ohio (JASCO).

As Flinn put it: "It's very community-oriented, and it's really refreshing to have that."

What's Next for Hidaka USA

After five expansions, Hidaka USA is not planning another one right now, though there is still room on the 22-acre campus if that changes. Instead, the company is placing greater emphasis on its railcar manufacturing business, pursuing parts work for different types of rail cars while continuing to serve its light mass production and prototype customers.

"We're going to branch out as much as we can in that industry. We have the machines to do that. We have the workforce that has been here for several years. And we're all excited about that part of our future."

For railcar builders and manufacturers looking for an experienced Ohio sheet metal partner, that means a team with proven equipment, long-tenured people, and a relationship-first approach ready to take on new programs.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hidaka USA

What does Hidaka USA, Inc. do?

Hidaka USA, Inc. is a sheet metal fabrication company in Dublin, Ohio. It manufactures prototype and mass production steel and aluminum parts and assemblies for the automotive and railcar industries, and specializes in small-quantity mass production runs that larger manufacturers often avoid.

How long has Hidaka USA been in Dublin, Ohio?

Hidaka USA was established in 1989 and has been in Dublin, Ohio for 37 years. Its 22-acre campus on Shier Rings Road has been expanded five times.

Who leads Hidaka USA?

Yoshihiro Hidaka is President and CEO of Hidaka USA, and Diane Rosso is Executive Vice President. Hidaka USA's parent company is Hidaka Seiki of Japan.

Does Hidaka USA manufacture railcar parts?

Yes. Hidaka USA entered the railroad industry in 2008 and produces railcar parts and assemblies. Growing its railcar business is the company's main focus for its next chapter.

Does Hidaka USA handle small-quantity production runs?

Yes. Hidaka USA has built a niche in small mass production manufacturing, with equipment sized to handle smaller production quantities that larger manufacturers may not want to run on their lines.

Is Hidaka USA hiring?

Hidaka USA offers on-the-job training and welcomes candidates who want to build a manufacturing career, even without years of experience. Current openings are listed on the Hidaka USA careers page.

Why are there cherry trees at Hidaka USA?

The more than 200 cherry trees on Hidaka USA's campus reflect the company's Japanese heritage, where cherry blossoms symbolize new birth. Each April, Hidaka hosts a cherry blossom luncheon for Dublin officials and community members, a tradition that began as a thank-you to the City of Dublin.

Partner With Hidaka USA

For 37 years, Hidaka USA has helped automotive and railcar manufacturers turn designs into dependable metal parts, from the first prototype to production. Read the Columbus Underground feature, meet the Hidaka team, explore our assets and capabilities, or contact Hidaka USA to talk about your next project.