NEWS RELEASE

FOR RELEASE: Tuesday, September 29, 2015
Contact: Natalie Likness, Governor’s Office of Economic Development, 605.773.3301

Lt. Gov. to Visit Career Expo and Toshiba in Mitchell During Manufacturing Week

MITCHELL, S.D. – South Dakota Manufacturing Week is finally underway. Communities across the state have spent months organizing local events for the weeklong observation of South Dakota’s growing manufacturing industry, planning everything from roundtables to career fairs to public tours through local manufacturing facilities. And in Mitchell, Toshiba is especially excited to welcome a special guest: Lt. Gov. Matt Michels.

“I’m looking forward to spending some time in Mitchell during Manufacturing Week,” Lt. Gov. Michels said. “Between visiting MTI’s career expo and touring Toshiba, it’ll be a great opportunity for me to see what’s happening with manufacturing in Mitchell and in South Dakota. This is the third year we’re observing Manufacturing Week, and to see how far it’s come along in that amount of time is exciting. A big thank you to all of the communities that are involved this year.”

Toshiba has been in Mitchell for almost 30 years, and has operated out of the same building it purchased from 3M in 1986. It’s undergone some changes, adding more than 100,000 square-feet over the last 30 years. And in 2016, assistant general manager and vice president of manufacturing, Dave Tronnes says the company is about to hit a major milestone.

“We’re so glad the Lt. Governor is able to visit us during Manufacturing Week,” Tronnes said. “We like to think of ourselves as one of South Dakota’s best kept secrets. Most people probably don’t know that our facility is the largest of the three Toshiba toner factories in the world. We’re excited to announce that in 2016, we’ll hit 50 million kilograms of toner produced and shipped across the world.”

How much is 50 million kilograms? Tronnes says picture a basketball court, then build a 1,000-foot-high wall around it.

“Toshiba has been an outstanding corporate citizen for Mitchell and South Dakota for almost 30 years,” said Bryan Hisel, executive director, Mitchell Area Development Corporation. “The company has contributed generous donations to Mount Rushmore, local healthcare, and youth and community events while producing a technically superior copy toner product for a global market.”

For more information about Toshiba, visit www.toshiba.com/tai/, and for more information about Manufacturing Week and other events, visit sdreadytopartner.com/sdmfgweek.aspx.

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