This weekend Honda Lock America will celebrate 25 years in Selma. Originally named Honda All-Lock Manufacturing Company, the Selma plant started with 23 employees, and today, HL-A employs more than 1,000 people in three locations — Selma, Bremen, Ga., and Marysville, Ohio. In Selma, the company employs 300 from the region, making it one of the largest employers in Dallas County. 

“We are happy to have Honda Lock America as a part of the Selma-Dallas County family for the past 25 years and look forward to 25 more,” Selma Mayor George Evans said. “We love the fellowship, networking, and partnership we share with Honda Lock and will continue to help make them the best they can be.”

Honda Lock will host a private celebration for their associates and guests Saturday in Memorial Stadium that will feature a concert by gospel artist CeCe Winans.

“We’re expecting about 550 between associates, guests and dignitaries,” Loren Allday, HL-A human resource manager said. “It’s just an excellent celebration for our associates and for our company to actually be in Selma, Ala., for 25 years and to have continued to grow and be successful.”

The company has five employees in Selma that have been with HL-A for all 25 years, Allday said, noting they will be recognized for their service on Saturday.

“We have wonderful associates who have continued to allow our company to be a success,” she said. “We’re just a big family, and this is the company’s way of giving back for all their dedication.”

The company’s Bremen, Ga., facility will be celebrating 15 years this year, and the 14 associates who have been with HL-A for 15 years will also be recognized at Saturday’s event.

“We are very excited to be celebrating 25 years in America this year,” Tim Keesee, vice president of American operations said.

Wayne Vardaman, executive director of the Selma and Dallas County Economic Development Authority also congratulated HL-A for their 25 years of continued operation in Selma.

“HL-A is a good corporate citizen, an investor in the Economic Development Authority, and a catalyst for workforce development,” he said, adding that HL-A has continued to provide good, paying jobs for the community.

Honda Lock’s vision for the future is to become the fastest at bringing forth customer-pleasing products while becoming a global company in which the world depends and in harmony with the environment. In an effort to fulfill this vision, HL-A supports many community projects in their plant areas focusing on education, health, and regional revitalization.