Sunright America, Inc., a manufacturer of automotive nuts, bolts and specialty fasteners, announced last week that it will expand operations in Columbus, Indiana.
Incorporated in Indiana in 2002, the company, which manufactures 5 million pieces per day, is a tier 1 supplier to Toyota.
"We selected Indiana because of its robust infrastructure, location of nearby suppliers of surface treatment and materials, and 'Crossroads of America' in the center of our customers' locations," said Toshiaki Takeuchi, executive vice president treasurer of Sunright.
With approximately 80 customers including Toyota and Hino, Sunright has more than 130 full-time employees in Indiana and plans to begin hiring additional manufacturing associates, engineers, supervisors and manufacturing managers this fall. By 2016 the company expects to hire an additional 103 employees.
The company, which is a subsidiary of Japan-based Sugiura Seisakusho Co., Ltd., will invest $34.7 million to construct and equip two additional facilities on its 33-acre campus at the Northwest Industrial Park in Columbus. The new 176,000 square-foot and 160,000 square-foot facilities, which will stand next to its existing 322,000 square-foot facility, will house additional lines for automotive nuts and bolts. The first production line is expected to be operational in April 2014.
This is the third major expansion for Sunright in Indiana since 2005. In 2008, Sunright moved to a 170,000 square-foot manufacturing and distribution facility at its current Columbus location, adding 45 new jobs. The company expanded in Columbus again in 2011, bringing its facility to 322,000 square-feet and creating 100 new jobs.
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Sunright America, Inc. up to $700,000 in performance-based tax credits based on the company's job creation plans. The city of Columbus will consider additional property tax abatement at the request of the Columbus Economic Development Board.
Sunright joins the growing list of Japanese companies investing their business in Indiana. Currently, the Hoosier State is the only U.S. state that is home to three Japanese original equipment manufacturer automotive companies, Subaru, Toyota and Honda.
" With our low taxes, robust infrastructure and pro-growth policies, international manufacturers looking for a supportive business environment find the ingredients for success in Indiana," said Indiana Governor Mike Pence.
