Fuji Photo celebrates opening of new headquarters.

State, county, and local officials were among the guests celebrating the opening event of the new state-of-the-art corporate headquarters of Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc. The celebration was an affirmation of the company's commitment to Westchester county and to New York State.

Fujifilm recently moved its headquarters from Elmsford to 164,000 square feet of leased space at 200 Summit Lake Drive in Valhalla. The company selected the Valhalla location after a three-year search in Westchester and Fairfield counties, as well as possible locations outside of the New York tri-state area.

Attendees included Westchester county executive Andrew J. Spano, a representative from the Empire State Development Corporation, local officials from the Town of Mount Pleasant, as well as Fujifilm employees from the corporate headquarters and from Fujifilm offices around the country.

In the spirit of the company's commitment to education and to the community, Stanley E. Freimuth, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc., announced at the event that the company was making a $25,000 donation to Westchester Community College in Valhalla to underwrite student scholarships. He presented the gift to Dr. Joseph N. Hankin, president of Westchester Community College, who spoke briefly, as did one of the previous Fujifilm scholarship recipients, Carolina Tapias of Croton-on-Hudson, NY, who was on hand to underscore the importance of corporate support of education.

Speaking at the event, Yasuo "George" Tanaka, president and chief executive officer of Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc., said, "Since it's founding in New York City in 1965, our company has grown thanks to the quality and technology of our products and the efforts and dedication of our employees. We also appreciate the friendship and support of the many state, county, and community officials who have assisted us in our move to our new headquarters. We are all happy to be here in New York State, in Westchester county, and among our friends and neighbors."

Stanley Freimuth also acknowledged and thanked county executive Spano, and the many other officials present. He noted the broad range of Fujifilm imaging and information products that are propelling the company to a leadership. position in the digital age.

"Our new headquarters are state-of-the-art in design and functionality, reflecting not only a company that is a technological leader, but also a company whose values include commitment to people, open communication, and teamwork," he said.

He concluded his remarks by pledging that Fujifilm would continue to be a good and responsible corporate citizen and neighbor.

The design and amenities of Fujifilm's new headquarters include: hands-on product displays in visitor and employee work areas, track lighting and an abundance of natural light, as well as modern workstations, offices, and meeting areas accented in green and red -- the colors of Fujifilm's corporate logo. The reception areas feature images and information about Fujifilm products, and information about corporate projects, displayed on plasma screens.

Fujifilm has been in Westchester county since 1986, and in New York State since the founding of the company's U.S. subsidiary in 1965, when it had just six employees and a small office in New York City. Fujifilm now has 12 American manufacturing facilities in five states. Indeed, from six people in the Empire State Building, there are today more than 10,000 Americans working in Fujifilm offices, distribution, and research centers and manufacturing and photofinishing facilities. Approximately 370 employees work in the new headquarters, in sales, marketing, management, and administrative positions.