Boren says workforce shines in Hitachi’s ‘Lighthouse’ recognition

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Mary Boren, D-Norman, said the recent choice of the Hitachi Vantara factory in Norman by the World Economic Forum as a “Lighthouse” site is a hopeful event not only for that plant, but also for the workers, the community, and the organizations that support it. Boren called the honor a major achievement.

“What makes this global award possible is the impressive mosaic of people supporting it with our leadership, creative ideas, and hard work. This achievement belongs to the brilliant, hardworking people of Norman,” Boren said. “People who have come from all over Oklahoma and from all over the world to build their lives, families, and careers right here in Norman.”

Boren said the factory, which opened in 1987, has been nurtured by Norman’s premier local schools and community groups, including the direct impact of world-class training from the University of Oklahoma and the Moore Norman Technology Center, both of which help fuel the local pipeline of high-caliber talent. She called the honor a multi-generational victory for the community, noting that many of the dedicated workers at the factory have children in Norman Public Schools, where the next generation of creative thinkers is being prepared to become tomorrow’s leaders.

Boren said that Hitachi workers in Norman designed advanced computer programs for their factory using smart tools that make decisions and track products on their own. With these updates, the team sped up shipping times by 77% and cut their extra supplies in half. The new system also lets the factory quickly adapt to sudden changes around the world, cutting down on waste and reducing pollution. She said these accomplishments prove that creating smart technology and caring for valuable natural resources can happen together through original thinking within the community.

“This big win shows what I have always known – the best thing about Oklahoma is our people. When we welcome all kinds of talented people, team up with our great schools, and give our workers the tools to invent, we can beat anyone else in the world,” Boren said. “The engineers, skilled workers, planners, and leaders at Hitachi Vantara in Norman deserve to celebrate this global recognition. It is pure joy to honor the visionary work of Hitachi in Norman that is showing the way forward for the entire world.”

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For more information, contact: 
Sen. Mary Boren at 405-521-5553 or Mary.Boren@oksenate.gov