See How Subaru Leads the Way in Manufacturing High-Quality Automobiles
Many people know that Subaru originated in Japan, but most models sold in the US have been produced in Lafayette, Indiana since the 1980s. Today, the 4.4-million square foot Subaru of Indiana facility (pictured below) produces almost every new Ascent, Outback, Legacy, and Impreza model sold domestically, producing 342,000 models in 2017 alone.
At Subaru of Indiana (SIA), the automaker’s motto of “Team Up for Tomorrow” is taken seriously. Over 5,600 highly-skilled production professionals, engineers, administrative staff, variable workers, vendors, and contractors come together at SIA every day to produce some of the world’s finest vehicles. These highly-trained engineers work with high-tech manufacturing tools—including 1,671 robots—to assemble as many as 5,000 individual parts into today’s modern Subaru automobile.
At its core, the SIA team focuses on the concept of kaizen, the Japanese word for "improvement." In essence, kaizen refers to activities that continuously improve all functions and involve all employees from the CEO to the assembly line workers. In practice, SIA associates are encouraged and rewarded for developing innovative ways to improve quality, safety, environmental stewardship, or cost efficiency.
SIA commits to a “zero defects” policy with near-countless quality control checks throughout the assembly process. This pursuit of perfection results in all SIA-built Subaru models being rated TOP SAFETY PICK+ by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS). SIA associates’ commitment to quality, safety, and environmental stewardship also resulted in the SIA plant becoming the first US auto assembly plant to be certified ISO 9001 (Quality Management), ISO 14001 (Environmental Management), and ISO 50001 (Energy Management), a globally prestigious recognition in the world of manufacturing. In addition, SIA maintains the industry’s lowest OSHA incident rates year after year.
In addition to high standards in quality, SIA associates reduce, reuse, and recycle in order to avoid sending any waste to a landfill. This has resulted in more industry firsts, such as SIA becoming the first US auto plant to be designated a Backyard Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation in 2003, as well as SIA becoming the first US auto plant to achieve zero-landfill status in 2004.
Because SIA wants to share the love that goes into making high-quality Subaru models, the plant offers free tours to the public. Participants can walk the nearly two miles it takes to follow the assembly line from start to finish, witnessing the latest innovations in automotive manufacturing to see what makes a Subaru a Subaru. Tours are limited and must be reserved in advance. To reserve your tour at Subaru of Indiana Automotive in Lafayette, Indiana, visit the plant's website here.
If you’re more interested in seeing the end result of these top-tier manufacturing practices, then Herb Gordon Subaru can provide that any time. We have many new Subaru models ready and waiting, including the popular 2019 Outback, which just sold its two millionth model in the US. When you’re ready to experience the Outback—also known as the “World’s First Sport Utility Wagon”—or any other model, contact our sales staff online to schedule a test drive.
Image Credit: Subaru