Langevin’s ‘RI in Business’ tour makes stop at Yushin America

Jessica Selby
Posted 8/27/14

Yushin America Inc., Xzito Creative Solutions, Atrion and IronWorks Tavern – most of us have likely driven by one or all of these businesses several times in our ventures around the area.

But do …

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Langevin’s ‘RI in Business’ tour makes stop at Yushin America

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Yushin America Inc., Xzito Creative Solutions, Atrion and IronWorks Tavern – most of us have likely driven by one or all of these businesses several times in our ventures around the area.

But do we know what they do, how many people they employee or what type of products they produce?

Last week, U.S. Rep. Jim Langevin visited those three companies and several others across the state as part of his “Rhode Island in Business” tour, getting a chance to talk with business leaders, staffers and others about the challenges and benefits to doing business in Rhode Island.

The goal of the tour, according to Langevin, was to learn how the state is – and is not – helpful to business owners, and to garner ideas that may help foster economic growth.

Yushin, a leader in the robotics technology industry, is located on Kenney Drive in Cranston and has operated out of that main facility for more than 20 years. The company employees 75 people – 60 at the Kenney Drive building alone – in various roles ranging from technicians and engineers to laborers and administration. 

The company sells industrial robots, but also has an entire team that assembles the robots and another that teaches customers interested in purchasing a robot to do the same. The robots can then be programmed to assemble a variety of items, including automotive parts, medical supplies, cosmetics, electrical meters and airbags.

Michael Greenhalgh, director of operations for Yushin, said that he was thrilled to learn that the company was one of those selected to take part in the congressman’s tour. He said he was eager to speak with Langevin about several state programs that Yushin utilizes, and more generally to share the company’s story.

“I want to show them what we do here, but also tell him what they are doing great so that they keep doing it, so we can continue to reap the benefits from it,” he said.

Greenhalgh and several other employees from Yushin escorted Langevin and a team of others around the Yushin property, showing them the main facility as well as the classroom area, the administration area and the work area where the robots are assembled and tasked to do various jobs.

Greenhalgh said many employees had joined the Yushin team after completing a state-run education program, and added that those recent hires were helping the company to meet its demands.

“Look around you. There is plastic in everything that you touch,” Greenhalgh said. “We are here with these robots to help people do what they need done more efficiently. We are making cars safer and medical devices easier to use … The only problem that we were having is that we didn’t have enough people who were trained in the skill set needed to get the job done.”

As a result, he said, the company turned to the state-supported programs aimed at finding or training people to fill the positions.

Presently, Yushin operates an apprenticeship program with the Community College of Rhode Island. Students straight from high school are able to earn a paycheck while receiving on-the-job training needed to become a certified machinist.

During the tour, Langevin spoke with Brett Haworth, a production technician working on a robot assembly in the factory. He learned from Haworth what it is like to work for the company, and what the job entails.

Cranston School Committee member Jeff Gale joined the tour and listened in as Haworth spoke to Langevin. He said he is eager to get more Cranston high school students into the facility to access the apprenticeship program, learn more about the company and inquire about job opportunities.

“This really is a win-win situation,” Gale said. “I am glad that I came today so that I can pass all of this information along, so that Cranston students can know about these programs.”

Langevin said that his “Rhode Island in Business” tour is just one facet in his ongoing effort to recognize the people and businesses that have invested in Rhode Island, so that he can help to connect them with the people and resources they need to be successful.

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