By Andrew Knittle
The Norman Transcript

The Hitachi Computer Products plant in Norman will more than double in size and add a significant number of jobs as its parent company moves to consolidate business operations in North America, a plant spokesman said Monday.

Gary Riggs, a Hitachi spokes-man, said the plant will grow from 164,000 square feet to more than 360,000. He said the new facilities will allow the Norman plant, which has been the U.S. base for Hitachi's data storage products since 1986, to take on the role of a distribution center.

Riggs wouldn't say exactly how many jobs would be created.

Don Wood, executive director of the Norman Economic Development Coalition, said he was told the move by Hitachi will bring about 75 jobs to the plant, which already employs more than 300. He said the new facilities will cost $15 million to build.

Wood said the newly created Oklahoma Economic Development Pooled Finance Program played a big role in bringing more of Hitachi's business to Norman. He said Hitachi will be the first company to take advantage of the program, which officially started in November 2009.

Wood said the program allows companies, as long as they're not participating in any other incentive programs within the state, to use state tax withholdings from the plant's employees to pay for construction of the new facilities. He said the program was created to target new or expanding businesses.

According to a statement issue by Hitachi last week, a plant in Indianapolis -- which was the distribution center until the announcement was made -- will close as the company tries to remain competitive globally.

Wood said Hitachi's decision not to close the Norman plant speaks volumes about the future of the city as it relates to luring in new or expanding businesses.

"As companies look at efficiencies, cost savings and realigned business sectors, then everything comes into play," Wood said.

Wood said he was approached by the company about six months ago but couldn't divulge any information until Hitachi's announcement last Friday.

The existing Hitachi plant, 1800 E. Imhoff Road, opened in 1986 and was expanded once in 1990, Riggs said.

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