By Paula Scott

Representatives of SumiRiko Ohio (SRK) and Sumitomo Riko Japan hosted Bluffton elected officials as well as those active in parks and recreation development for the company's 35th anniversary land donation ceremony and luncheon on Thursday, March 1.

Kazushi Shimizu, president of Sumitomo Riko Japan, presented several acres on Snider Rd. as a donation to be used for youth soccer fields. Shimizu explained that Bluffton was the company's first overseas production base and that thanks to its success, the company been able to grow to 100 production facilities for anti-vibration automotive products in over 20 countries.

Shimizu expressed the company's desire to support and give back to the community of Bluffton. He noted that some of the youth of Bluffton who would enjoy these fields would perhaps grow up to work with SumiRiko Ohio.

Mayor Richard Johnson accepted the donation on behalf of the Village of Bluffton, thanking Shimizu and SumiRiko Ohio for its unwavering support of the community, including volunteer efforts, charitable donations and particpation in community events. Johnson urged the company to call on the village for its assistance at any time. Johnson also presented an engraved certificate of appreciation commemorating 35 years of service by SumiRiko Ohio to the Bluffton community. (A presentation video is available HERE.)

Preliminary plans indicate that several U8 and U10 fields can be accomodated by the acres donationed by SumiRiko Ohio. The village has plans for developing this location for youth soccer facilities, which will be easy to find for visiting teams and their families, and which will be adjacent to the community pool, Buckeye Park and Bluffton Family Recreation (which is soon to be affiliated with the Lima YMCA),

Village Administrator Jesse Blackburn noted that some 300 children currently particpate in youth soccer programs. He also commented that in recent surveys, residents expressed an interest in expanded park facilities, a need which this project would help fulfill.

Also taking part in the ceremonies were Takeo Endoh, president of SumiRiko Ohio and Jerry Cupples, president of the Village of Bluffton Council. SRK representatives included Paul Inniger, Exective V.P. of Finance; Steve Unterbrink, Executive V.P. of Manufacturing; Jospeh Brinkman, Executive V.P. of Engineering and Maintenance; Makoto Matsumoto, Executive Coordinator; Tracy Kehres, V.P. of Quality; Laura Jones, V.P. of Human Resources; Haruya Sakai, Strategic Planner; Makoto Isogai, Stratgeic Planner ;and Veronica Peterson, Communication Specialist.

Also representing the Village of Bluffton were Mitch Kingsley, Village Council Member; Ben Stahl, Village Council Member; Jesse Blackburn, Village Administrator; and Amy Byers, Bluffton Soccer Club Registrar.