In just 10 years, Alabama Cullman Yutaka Technologies (ACYT) has nearly tripled its workforce and has grown into a premier player in Cullman County’s already-healthy industrial climate.

State, company and city officials took some time to commemorate that success on Monday at a celebration event for the company’s 10-year anniversary in Cullman.

“This was made possible through the cooperative efforts of the State of Alabama, Cullman and Honda,” ACYT’s Masayuki Matsuda said. “We want to extend our deepest gratitude to everyone.”

ACYT manufactures automobile exhaust components, torque converters and other equipment as part of a long-term partnership to provide parts to American Honda Motor Co., Inc. The company is a tier-one supplier, meaning ACYT makes and directly provides parts either to major vehicle assembly companies, or their original-equipment manufacturing (OEM) counterparts.

In the decade since opening in 2006, the plant has been honored three separates times as one of the top suppliers by Honda.

The employee base has grown from 140 associates when the facility opened, to 410 employees this year. ACYT has also undergone multiple expansions in the years since opening, and has supplied more than 10 million parts to Honda — including 2.6 million exhaust systems.

ACYT’s Brian Buckner, who was present for the company’s groundbreaking, said Yutaka has managed to build something “special” on the efforts of the Cullman area workforce — coupled with the support of the company’s Japanese origins.

“It’s two different cultures, but really like a family,” he said. “I’m happy to see we have a direction for the future.”

Cullman Economic Development Agency Director Peggy Smith looked back to the efforts before Cullman was selected to host ACYT, and how much the company has grown since.

“The past 10 years have certainly been a successful and happy decade,” she said.

On behalf of the local legislative delegation, Sen. Paul Bussman (R-Cullman) thanked the company for taking a chance on Cullman all those years ago.

“At some point, you have to trust the people of Cullman and Alabama to help make you successful — and that’s exactly what we’re trying to do… As we try to recruit new industries to Cullman, you are the flagship for us.”

Mike Lapham, with Honda of America, pointed to the tenacity of ACYT and its employees as they kept the company rolling through numerous challenges, from the floods and earthquakes in Japan, to the 2011 tornado that ripped through Cullman.

“This company pulled together very quickly, stabilized things at home, and got this plant back online,” he said. “They never missed a beat.”

As part of the festivities, the company unveiled a plaque mounted on a stone to commemorate the occasion. Officials say the stone was left over from construction, and was unearthed at the site as the plant was being built.