A Day of Celebration: Highlights from TOTO USA’s Morrow Facility Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

On a warm August afternoon, guests gathered inside TOTO USA’s newly expanded Morrow, Georgia, manufacturing facility for a celebration that was about far more than bricks and mortar. It was a day of gratitude, partnership, and pride — a day to honor decades of progress and to look boldly toward the future.

The event marked the official ribbon-cutting for TOTO’s $224 million expansion, an investment in state-of-the-art automation, precision robotics, and sustainability.

But while the plant’s gleaming production lines were impressive, the heart of the festivity was the people: the dedicated employees, local community leaders, honored dignitaries, and global partners who have made our success in North America possible for over three decades.

Community Leaders Celebrate TOTO’s Local Impact

The program opened with a warm welcome from Bill Strang, TOTO USA’s President of Corporate Strategy, E-commerce, and Customer Experience. Strang spoke of the expansion as more than a building, a bold step forward that will help TOTO meet a growing demand for one-piece toilets, boost production, and continue delivering products that improve everyday life while reducing environmental impact.

Pat Wilson, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, highlighted the deep connection between TOTO and Georgia — from the clay used in our products to the installations seen in the most highly trafficked airport in the world, and visitor centers across the state.Additional esteemed dignitaries and civic leaders, including Consul General Mio Maeda and representatives from the Metro Atlanta Chamber and Clayton County Development Authority, also took to the stage, speaking words of partnership, underscoring how this expansion represents a shared vision of international cooperation, economic growth, and regional development.

TOTO Leadership Shares Vision for the Future

The focus then turned to TOTO’s own leaders, whose words underscored not just the significance of the expansion but the values that guide every step of the company’s journey.

Shinya Tamura, TOTO Ltd.’s President and Representative Director, expressed gratitude to the local community on behalf of the TOTO family and our partners around the globe, noting that the site expansion strengthens TOTO’s ability to deliver high-quality, sustainable products to customers across North America. TOTO USA CEO, Taro Muroi, reflected on how the facility symbolizes the strong bonds between TOTO, our partners, and our customers. He spoke of continuing to build a stronger TOTO USA, with a dedication to contributing to the future of Georgia manufacturing and empowering employees through innovation and opportunity.

Kizuna: Japanese Calligraphy Performance

During one of the ceremony’s most visually powerful moments, Japanese calligrapher Airi Hara conducted a dramatic, live artwork performance on stage. In sweeping black ink strokes, she painted the kanji for “kizuna,” meaning “bond” — a word that captured the spirit of the entire ceremony.

Hara explained the image represented the phoenix, a nod to Atlanta’s own symbol of rebirth and resilience, and to the kiln fires that create TOTO’s porcelain products.

This fusion of art, culture, and corporate mission was a moving reminder that our story is about more than the products we design; it’s about connection, respect, and purpose.

Cutting the Ribbon on TOTO’s Next Chapter

The ceremony reached its pinnacle as the ribbon-cutting commenced. TOTO leaders, state government officials, and allied partners joined one another on stage, each holding a piece of the ceremonial blue ribbon — but all eyes were on the woman standing at the very center, a TOTO manufacturing skilled worker of over 30 years.

The pride and joy spread across her smiling face was visible from every corner of the audience, standing as yet another reminder that the night meant more than an exciting business expansion.

Who we are as a company begins and ends with the passion of the people whose hands create the products we so carefully engineer, who live the values we work so diligently to uphold, and who honor the longstanding commitments we’ve made to empower our communities, champion the wellness of our customers, and build the sustainable future that every product is designed to advance.

The countdown began, echoing through the atrium:

“Three … two … one … cut!”

The ribbon fell, applause thundered, and cameras flashed as confetti cannons released a shower of gold streamers over the audience.

Metallic strands of gold fluttered through the air, catching the light as they slowly descended onto the crowd. And as the shining streamers drifted gently to the floor, the room became gilded not only in sparkling celebration, but with the excitement of a new chapter in TOTO's legacy in North America.

Touring the Future

Following the ceremony, guests embarked on guided tours of the production floor, where they saw firsthand the advanced robotics, automated systems, and sustainable processes that will produce our luxury toilets for years to come.

Employees proudly explained each step of the process, from clay preparation to glazing to final inspection, showcasing the precision and care that goes into every TOTO product.

A Day of Reflection and Gratitude

By the end of the event, the space buzzed with renewed energy. Conversations continued long after the program ended, as colleagues, partners, and guests lingered to connect, celebrate, and reflect on the milestone. The artwork featuring the bold kanji for “kizuna” stood prominently displayed as a lasting testament.

This was not just a ribbon-cutting. It was a recognition of the people, the partnerships, and the purpose that have shaped our history, and that will continue to shape our future.

When guests began to depart, many paused for one last look at the ceremony venue, now quiet and calm, yet somehow still humming with emotion. The message was clear: this day marked not just the expansion of a manufacturing facility, but the beginning of a new chapter — one filled with innovation, sustainability, and shared success.

Looking Ahead

As TOTO continues to grow in North America, this campus will serve as both a production powerhouse and a manifestation of our investment in the communities we call home. With 150% increased production capacity, reduced carbon emissions, and hundreds of skilled jobs supported, the impact will be felt far beyond Morrow.

But perhaps the most important legacy of the day was the feeling it left behind — the pride of employees who helped build something extraordinary, the joy of partners who saw their collaboration bear fruit, and the excitement of everyone who believes in TOTO’s mission to improve lives through thoughtful innovation.

The golden streamers may have been swept up by the end of the day, but the bonds of kizuna will always remain.