Strolling through the Honda Power Equipment (HPE) Manufacturing facility in Swepsonville, N.C., felt a bit like stepping into the future.

Honda associates clad in white uniforms worked meticulously and efficiently up and down the assembly lines — often working alongside machines, which completed tasks such as placing small seals and bearings.

At the end of the line, Honda associates tested all the products manufactured in the plant (including string trimmers, snow throwers, mowers and more) by starting the engines, performing leak tests and weighing the final units to ensure no components were missed in the assembly process.

All in all, the Swepsonville plant employs about 1,100 associates.

Celebrate, expand, develop

Landscape Management’s reason for visiting the HPE Manufacturing factory in Swepsonville was threefold:

1. Commemorating an anniversary: As of Aug. 6, Honda Power Equipment celebrated 35 years of producing power equipment products in North America.

2. Expanding its footprint: HPE recently embarked on a $46.4 million expansion of its Swepsonville plant. Between the 116,000-square-foot expansion of phase one and the 135,000-square-foot addition of phase two, a total of about 250,000 square feet have been added to the plant’s existing blueprint. Overall, the expansion will allow for the production of about 2 million more engines and 300,000 more mower units (about the same as the amount of Honda Civics produced each year).

3. Developing new technology: HPE unveiled its new HRN216 mower lineup, which includes four different walk-behind products: the HRN216VKA, the HRN216VLA, the HRN216VYA and the HRN216PKA. While developing the mower, HPE kept four key items in mind: ease of use, improved serviceability, durability and power. Production of the product will begin in September.

To help commemorate the milestones, HPE invited about 750 of its associates to celebrate in a special ceremony.

“As you look around, you will see and hear a sense of pride,” said Takayoshi Fukai, president of HPE. “Thank you to all our associates for your dedication.”

Rep. Mark Walker (R-N.C.) also spoke at the event and commented on the plant’s impact on the surrounding area.

“You all are leading by example and raising the standard of living for many in this community,” Walker said.

In line with supporting the community, HPE also donated money to the local school board and gave new generators to several local fire and safety departments during the ceremony.

Find more information on HPE’s HRN216 mower lineup here.