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Volunteer Activities by Individual Members

Ark Technologies Local Charitable Activities (St. Charles)

  Ark Technologies Inc., founded in 1980, was the first Japanese spring manufacturer established in America. It has since delivered high quality precision springs to both Japanese and American auto parts manufacturers. It has the most CNC machines in North America, and in 2000, it received the Asian Minority Manufacturer of the Year Award from the State of Illinois. The founder of Ark Technologies, Mr. Arata Kabeshita, came to Chicago in 1967 to found a branch of his former company. He has lived in America for more than 37 years and has had a long partnership with JCCC. Mr. Kabeshita actively supports many Japanese associations besides those listed above.

  Numbers 1 through 5 below are representative examples of Ark Technologies' annual charitable activities. Number 6 is an activity the company does every three or four year when it renews its computers. Numbers 7 through 10 are past non-monetary charitable activities it has performed.

  1. sponsors a Japan visitation program for Elk Grove high school students (for the last 15 years, annual contribution $1000)
  2. supports the activities of the St. Charles Chamber of Commerce and Industry ($750 per year)
  3. supports the activities of the Elk Grove Chamber of Commerce and Industry ($410 per year)
  4. makes matching contributions to charitable donations by its employees ($69,000 per year)
  5. cleans the factory site and surrounding areas
  6. donates used computers to junior high schools in St. Charles
  7. gave tours of St. Charles elementary, junior high and high schools to a visitation group from the Nagano Board of Education
  8. allowed its employees to hold office in various non-profit organizations
  9. appeared in video supporting the public relations activities of Elk Grove Village
  10. donated a Japanese culture exhibit to the newly-founded Elk Grove Village Library

In recognition of such ongoing activities, Ark Technologies has received the following awards:
  • 1990 Honored Citizen Award from the mayor of Elk Grove Village
  • 2000 Pride of the Fox Award from the mayor of St. Charles
  • 2000 Community Development Award from the St. Charles Chamber of Commerce and Industry
  • 2000 Illinois Asian American Manufacturer of the Year Award
  • 2003 Chicago Minority Business Manufacturer of the Year Award