That’s the time it took to transform an empty floor space at AISIN Drivetrain Inc. in Crothersville to set up equipment and produce six-speed automatic transmissions for its newest customer, Japanese automotive company Mazda.
“That’s almost unheard of — the timeframe to install, assemble and start production,” ADI President Joe Neuman said during a first shipment ceremony March 10 celebrating the new Mazda transmission business.
“However, with ADI and Mazda members, you worked tirelessly together to achieve this feat,” he said. “The production line looks absolutely gorgeous.”
Employees of both companies attended the ceremony. Neuman said the Mazda members in North America and Japan provided guidance, expertise and support on the assembly line and expedited the supply chain verification process.
“You guys have been outstanding, and I hope your time here in the U.S., you’ve enjoyed every minute of it,” he said.
Neuman said AISIN officials provided unwavering support to ensure the company’s standards were met and ADI systems were the top priority.
“No words could express my sincere appreciation, dedication, work ethic and just the tenacity that everyone demonstrated to complete this project in a way not many other teams could achieve,” he said.
“I always say pressure is a privilege,” he said. “Winners want pressure and excel when high expectations are placed on them. Without a doubt, you guys excelled. You were definitely winners.”
Two years ago, ADI ended a 12-year relationship with Stellantis for heavy-duty transmissions. AISIN and Mazda then began working on a joint venture for another localization project for a six-speed transmission for vehicle production in North America.
“With ADI experience and skill, we were able to localize this transmission. Our skill was highlighted in that joint venture at that point,” Neuman said.
From being awarded the business to the full start of production, teams worked quickly to install the equipment.
Shinji Kochi, vice president of sales for AISIN World Corp. of America, said by August 2025, equipment was installed.
“It normally would be considered extremely challenging, if not impossible,” he said.
But with “remarkable speed and commitment,” he said members from both companies made it happen.
“For us at AISIN, it is especially encouraging to see their interest not only in the equipment and process but also in the people behind this achievement, teamwork behind this achievement,” Kochi said. “Projects like this remind us strong partnerships are built not only by technology, but also by people.”
Alan Morrison, business unit manager for ADI, said during the process, members of both companies came to the Crothersville facility to look at the empty space.
In July 2024, four ADI members traveled to a plant in Japan to view the existing process and equipment to determine what modifications would be needed to be successful back home.
“The original process was very man dependent and designed to be operated by highly experienced operators,” Morrison said.
That required some changes to be made to meet safety recommendations, and the machinery was professionally modified.
Morrison described the quick transition from the empty floor space to the first transmission build as “amazing, absolutely amazing.”
In January of this year, ADI conducted the first preproduction build staffed with all ADI members.
“To think just eight months after we started with nothing but an empty floor, we’re getting ready to ship,” Morrison said. “This project isn’t just about speed. It’s about innovation, improvement and excellence. The best personnel in Mazda and AISIN worked as a team to create a process that employs our collective knowledge.”
Success like this requires a massive endeavor by the people, he said.
“We have crafted a world-class process, and coupled with proven design six-speed automatic transmissions, now, ADI must have the craftsmanship,” he said. “This is all about people.”
Neuman said last week, ADI hosted Mazda executives, including Taketo Hironaka, managing executive officer of Mazda Motor Corp. who built and launched the production line.
“Hironaka stated this production line was his ‘baby boy,’” Neuman said. “He was overwhelmed and impressed when he saw the line and stated how much his ‘baby boy’ has grown up and matured and ‘Please take care of my baby boy.’ I assured him that ADI would do just that.’”
Kochi said the first shipment ceremony marks the realization of a symbolic partnership.
“We believe that AISIN can continue to compete as a strong partner for Mazda,” he said. “At the same time, I hope this project becomes an important foundation for even stronger collaboration and for new opportunities between Mazda and AISIN in the future.”
Neuman said officials from AISIN and Mazda agreed “This is just the beginning.”
“This was a large global localization project, and its success is a starting point for future partnerships,” Neuman said. “Today marks the beginning of an AISIN/Mazda partnership not only in North America but globally. Congratulations on a job well done.”
ADI was founded Oct. 1, 1996, and was the first company established in the Crothersville Industrial Park. ADI manufactures a wide range of products for customers in the automotive and heavy equipment industries, including Toyota, Lexus, Honda, Stellantis and now, Mazda. The products include industrial and commercial transmissions, electric rear axles, electric water pumps and power steering columns.
Congratulations to Brownstown Central High School senior Kassidy Wischmeier, winner of the 2026 Maverick Challenge Jackson County.
She was among 11 finalists in the high school business plan competition giving oral presentations to a panel of four judges March 4 at the Community Foundation of Jackson County in Seymour.
Her business plan is for GreenPath Learning, which offers greenhouses, supplies and curriculum for schools.
For winning the competition, Wischmeier will receive $2,500. Sponsors of the program are JCIDC Workforce Partnership, Brownstown Ewing Main Street, Seymour Main Street and the Jackson County Chamber. JCBank is the funding partner.
Overall, $7,000 was up for grabs for the finalists. Coming in second place and winning $1,500 is Seymour High School’s Brooklyn Howell with her business plan for Bridge Within. Placing third and receiving a total of $750 are Brownstown Central High School’s Kaylee Steward, Kayla Bowman and Eulah Beavers for BetterChews.
There was a tie for fourth place between Seymour High School’s Lanie Booher with Glam On the Go and Brownstown Central High School’s Haleigh Drake with Subber Bowl. Both will receive $425.
There also was a tie for fifth place. Medora High School’s Bobby Baughman and Angel Chan-Cux with Sensus by BBB and Seymour High School’s Lydia Holle and Juana Nicolas with Fun Delivery each will receive $300 total.
Brownstown Central High School’s Veronica Law with Artist’s Alley earned honorable mention and $200, while Crothersville High School’s Isaac Spencer and Cooper Brown with S & R Drones, Seymour High School’s Isrrael Luna and Hayato Hattori with Lunar Lanes and Brownstown Central High School’s Reece Osborne and Gabriel Davers with SportiBotics each will receive participation awards valued at $200 total.
Initially, there were 56 teams from Brownstown Central, Crothersville, Medora and Seymour high schools in the competition. Twenty-two of them turned in a business plan and a video, and local business volunteers judged those and narrowed them down to the finalists.
Wischmeier will compete in the local SPARK Tank competition in the fall with the chance to win up to $10,000.
Students also could enter the STARTed Up Foundation’s Innovate Within, which has a regional competition in the spring and finals in June, where up to $25,000 can be won to grow their businesses.
Maverick Challenge began in 2008 in Bartholomew County, and Jackson County joined the program in 2011. Three years ago, Bartholomew County ended the program, but Jackson County leaders kept it going in the county with a partnership between the four sponsors and the funding partner.
In September 2025, Cummins Seymour Engine Plant announced the launch of Cummins Power Generation’s latest product: A 17-liter engine platform generator set that produces up to 1 megawatt of power.
Today, it was announced the generator sets from the Centum S17 Series have been nominated for Product of the Year in the Power category by Consulting-Specifying Engineer Magazine.
The S17 expands on the success of the acclaimed Centum Series generator sets, which were developed to produce a large power output within a compact footprint to meet the growing demands of power in urban environments where compact design and high performance are critical.
The generator set is assembled at Cummins’ Fridley, Minnesota, facility, and the engine is made at the Seymour Engine Plant, so the S17 is an American-made product.
The S17 went through more than 25,000 hours of testing and validation and is engineered to support a wide range of critical market segments, such as commercial properties, water and wastewater treatment plants and industrial, health care, government and data storage facilities.
The Power Generation product line includes generator sets, automatic transfer switches, systems and switchgear, remote monitoring and new power technologies, like the newly launched battery energy storage system.
The Engine Business team, corporate research and technology organization, Components Business and Holset turbocharger organization also were involved in the project.
Founded in 1919, Cummins is headquartered in Columbus and operates in 190 countries and territories around the globe with nearly 70,000 employees. The Seymour Engine Plant opened in 1976.
Seymour High School has 54 career pathway opportunities for students as they figure out what they want to do in their lives.
Thirty-four pathways are offered on campus, and SHS partners with C4 Columbus Area Career Connection for the rest of them.
On Feb. 25, 11 Cummins Seymour Engine Plant officials had an opportunity to learn about some of these pathways.
First, they visited the Seymour Ag-Science and Research Farm in the Freeman Field Industrial Park. That facility opened in March 2019 and has expanded since then to offer precision machining, welding technology and agriculture classes.
Second, they visited SHS to tour the Project Lead the Way lab and Owl Manufacturing. PLTW provides hands-on science, technology, engineering and math experiences, while Owl Manufacturing is a student-run enterprise.
The tours were arranged through a partnership between JCIDC and Cummins with Feb. 22 to 28 being National Engineers Week, which celebrates the engineering profession, highlights engineers’ contributions to society and inspires the next generation of innovators through STEM initiatives.
It provided an opportunity for the Cummins officials to step outside of their facility and see what’s available at a local school, in particular the Career and Technical Education courses.
Seymour Community School Corp. has made a concerted effort to grow its footprint in the CTE education space.
Joy Stuckwisch, director of secondary programs for SCSC, said it’s important for students to gain skills so they discover their passion.
“Some students don’t work as well in a classroom, but they can do our machining and welding or the agriculture piece, so we’re really proud to help them establish something that they have a passion for,” she said.
All of the classes offered at the ag building are dual credit through Ivy Tech Community College, meaning students earn college credits by taking them, Stuckwisch said.
Brownstown Central High School students also travel to the ag building for welding and machining classes.
SHS Principal Steve Bush said as students explore and navigate their high school experience, they may find they don’t like a career pathway, and that’s OK.
“Then they learn something important, so they can figure out what they want to do next,” he said.
SCSC officials thanked Cummins for visiting their facilities and offered a welcome any time.
“We love to show off our building, our facility and our students,” Stuckwisch said.
Cummins has expressed interest in visiting other local schools to learn what they offer, too.
The annual Jackson County VEX IQ Robotics Competition Invitational Qualifier took place Feb. 14 at Immanuel Lutheran School in Seymour.
There were 40 elementary school teams and 20 middle school teams, all from Jackson County, competing.
In the elementary school tournament, 3522G from St. Ambrose Catholic School and 1597C from Jackson County Homeschool Robotics won the Teamwork Champion Award. 47220C from Lutheran Central School was the Robot Skills champion.
In the middle school tournament, 520D from Immanuel Lutheran School and 47220B from Lutheran Central School won the Teamwork Champion Award. 520D from Immanuel Lutheran School was the Robot Skills champion.
The skills champions earned a trip to the 2026 Indiana Robotics State Championship on March 14 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
JCIDC is proud to sponsor this tournament that allows all Jackson County VEX IQ teams a chance to compete. There are teams at most public and private schools in the county along with Jackson County Homeschool Robotics, Jackson County 4-H and the Boys & Girls Club of Seymour.
Personalized wooden keychains, stone coasters with a logo and a guitar with a hexagonal pattern on the body are among items made on a laser engraver.
A greenhouse and an A-frame roof were designed on a computer and then built as small models.
Learning how to operate an indoor drone before moving up to larger outdoor drones results in earning a license to fly the aircraft.
Various types of lettuce are planted in a tower garden and harvested for students to eat.
Cuts of meat from different parts of livestock are plated to learn how food goes from farm to fork.
Baby chicks and a black sheep stuffed animal are explored up close.
At Brownstown Central High School, various engineering and agriculture classes are offered to pique students’ interest and possibly lead them to a future career.
On Jan. 22, students enrolled in those classes manned stations around one of the ag rooms at the school to share their knowledge with local eighth graders who next school year will call BCHS home.
This was the fourth year for the event, which for the first three years was called Engineering Fair before changing to Engineering and Ag Fair with adding the ag department to the mix.
BCHS business education teacher Luke Cobb said recently, there has been a big push on Career and Technical Education classes due to changes with the Indiana high school diploma.
“I know engineering is not everyone’s cup of tea,” he said. “There are kids who’d rather be outside, so I asked Abby (Branaman, ag teacher at BCHS) if she would be interested because she’s new and we’re both growing our programs, and she was all for it, so we combined. They have a bunch of cool ag stuff, and I feel like it just hits a bigger audience.”
For the first year of the event, Cobb said he and his five engineering students went to the middle school to talk to eighth graders about the offerings at BCHS.
Since then, the middle schoolers have traveled to BCHS to explore the various classes.
Cobb now has 50 students taking engineering classes, and the number of classes has expanded.
He feels the Engineering Fair has helped with that.
“It is working,” Cobb said. “It’s really great for them. It gets a lot more kids into it.”
The first two events featured two engineering classes and robotics. Since then, BCHS has added drone and architecture classes, so those are now part of the fair.
Students from an introductory engineering class made personalized wooden keychains on a laser engraver for the visiting eighth graders.
Junior Miller, a junior at BCHS, said they have done a variety of three-dimensional modeling and hands-on projects in the class. Those utilized computer programs and various equipment.
“It’s very hands-on, and I’ve learned a lot from them. Mr. Cobb is a great teacher,” Miller said.
As for sharing what they do in class with the middle schoolers, Miller said, “It’s something they get engaged into. I just think it’s good for them to learn stuff like that. Hopefully, they carry it with them through college and stuff.”
Nearby, the stone coasters and guitar were on a table along with other items made by students.
Dalton Brazzell has taken engineering classes throughout high school. Now a junior, he helped make the unique design on the guitar body.
“It’s definitely cool, but it’s very time-consuming,” he said.
Keaton Peters, a freshman in the introduction to engineering design class, said Cobb lets students design and create at their skill level.
“It’s fun and challenging at the same time,” he said. “You’re either going to get to the midpoint of the project and realize you hate it or you’re going to get to the midpoint of the project and realize you love it.”
Both liked having the opportunity to showcase what they’ve done in class.
“It’s a great class to take. If you take it, you’ll learn a lot,” Peters said. “It’s a fun dual credit thing, and you get to make stuff, so there’s no reason not to take it.”
Brazzell said they also built the computers they use to design products.
“I just see how all of our equipment slowly gets better and better,” he said. “We have more people, and we make cooler and better things. It’s definitely an amazing opportunity.”
Peters agreed.
“I feel like with what we have now, it’s so much more intriguing for the kids,” he said.
Sophomore Naomi McKain, junior Allie Barlow and senior Charlie Watts are in the civil engineering and architecture class that designed and built the greenhouse and A-frame roof models.
“We build hands-on stuff, and we also build some online,” Barlow said. “We model and design everything and then get it printed, and every piece is handmade.”
McKain said they also learn about plumbing and electrical.
“A lot of times, we’ll look up pictures of designs and try to re-create them, and then a lot of times, we laser cut the wood so we can make a whole bunch of different shapes,” she said.
They enjoyed the opportunity to educate the eighth graders.
“This (class) is very hands-on,” Barlow said. “That is definitely a plus, getting to work, seeing what you’re building, and that’s something you can be proud of.”
Also at the fair, senior Ellie Black showed eighth graders the various drones they could explore in the drone class. The larger drones have bigger cameras, more capabilities and advanced controls and fly faster.
She said the goal is for students to earn their Part 107 drone license, an FAA credential for legally operating drones for commercial purposes in the United States.
From the ag side, eighth graders learned about the animal science, principles of ag, horticulture, plant and soil science and food science classes.
Branaman, a graduate of BCHS, said the school has always offered a lot of ag classes, and her goal is to keep the tradition going.
“As a first-year ag teacher, I want to do my best to communicate what they can expect, and so it’s been really awesome and it’s been great prepping for the ag fair to see what they want to share,” she said. “To hear them talk about it, you can tell that they really enjoy it, too.”
In November, FFA officers visited eighth graders to talk about the ag program.
“When they come here, they get to actually see it in action,” Branaman said of the fair. “I’m really impressed with the students. We’re doing our best to start introducing all of the options and give them a little bit of a taste so that they know what to take.”
