Here is a column that discusses a trip taken by the MIchigan governor to Japan to meet with companies including Toyota. Many states are lobbying for the next rumored Toyota plant (in addition to the one recently announced for Ontario).
Quoting the article: The United Auto Workers “would not be a roadblock,” Granholm insists. “I have spoken with (UAW President) Ron Gettelfinger, and they welcome international investment. “It's not something that would be a negative. Outsiders have a harder (time) shifting the paradigm than Toyota does.”
And she'll make the debatable case that this union stronghold should not be the obstacle to foreign automotive investment that many think it is.
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Mark Graban
Mark Graban is an internationally-recognized consultant, author, and professional speaker who has worked in healthcare, manufacturing, and startups. He is author of the Shingo Award-winning books Lean Hospitals and Healthcare Kaizen, as well as The Executive Guide to Healthcare Kaizen. His most recent book is the anthology Practicing Lean that benefits the Louise H. Batz Patient Safety Foundation, where Mark is a board member. Mark is also a Senior Advisor to the technology company KaiNexus. His latest book has been released as an "in-progress" book, titled Measures of Success.