Journal-News.com

HAMILTON — Neturen American Corp., a Japanese company that manufactures parts for the automotive industry, has opened its first U.S. facility in the city's Enterprise Park.

The 600,000-square-foot facility will produce coiled wire, which is primarily purchased by automakers for use as car suspension springs, said Eiji Yamahsita, president of the international company Neturen Company Ltd.

Although the automotive market has been seeing decreased sales over the past few years, the demand by the industry "seems to be growing year by year in the field of cold forming suspension coils," said Chad Johnson, human resources and public relations manager for the company.

Neturen officials said they expect to produce 550 metric tons of coiled wire each month and 6,600 metric tons per year.

About 14 people work at the plant, with the company planning to add another seven positions before year's end. Company officials hope to bring the employee total to 50 as production increases allow, Nakahara said.

The new plant places another energy-efficient manufacturer within the city's borders. Neturen's facility will not produce any fossil fuel emissions because it makes its wire coils using induction heating and water. Steam is the primary result of the company's production, said Mac Nakahara, chief technical officer at the Hamilton facility.

Earlier this week, SMART Papers announced it will build a new power plant that will allow it to produce electricity to run its facility and make its products fossil fuel-free.

Also, despite talk of downturns in the manufacturing industry, new Butler County industry has primarily consisted of manufacturing. Over 64 percent of the areas new business last year was in manufacturing, according to Shanda Combs, economic development manager for the county Economic Development Department.

This is the first Japanese company to move into the city's Enterprise Park, said Kenny Craig, president of the Greater Hamilton Chamber of Commerce.

Neturen American Corp. was established in Jan. 2007 by Neturen Company Ltd., Metal One Corp. and Nippon Steel Corp., all of Japan, company officials said.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2843 or jlander@coxohio.com.

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