An official ribbon-cutting ceremony was held recently to announce the establishment of TATEHO OZARK Technical Ceramics, Inc. as a branch operation of TATEHO Chemical Industries, based in Ako, Japan. The company will operate at the former OZARK Technical Ceramics facility in Webb City, Mo. The transaction provides TATEHO with a U.S. base for additional production and sales support for its magnesium oxide (MgO) materials and fabricated products. The Missouri operation employs 30 people and has been in operation for 29 years.

The new company will be locally managed by the co-founders of OZARK, Kelly Meares and Greg Lawrence. Jim Teramoto of TATEHO serves as co-CEO, along with Meares. A liaison office of TATEHO has been established at Webb City as well, and is staffed by Toshimitsu Sakurai. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by Tetsunori Minato, president of TATEHO Chemical Industries, and Hayato Takahama, corporate planning manager.

For more information, visit http://tatehoozark.com.