Koyo Corporation of USA (a division of JTEKT, Japan) will be expanding its plant in Blythewood, South Carolina -- reportedly budgeting as much as USD $30 million.

Opened in 1995, Koyo's Blythewood bearing plant currently employs approximately 225 people and manufactures wheel bearing hub assembly units. Along with a sister factory in Orangewood, Blythewood is Koyo's leading hub assembly plant in North America.

While the plant expansion is set to begin in early 2009, there is no specific information regarding what bearings will be added beyond that it involves two new production lines. The likelihood is that the two lines will produce hub units for new models being added to U.S. production by BMW, Toyota, or Honda.

So far, Koyo has indicated it does not expect the expansion to result in any new jobs being created. But the move does, however, forestall the potential for jobs being lost.

Yoichi Teramoto, Koyo VP of Administration, said: "We are pleased to be expanding our operations in South Carolina. We’ve operated our plant in Blythewood for more than a decade and look forward to continuing to grow in the Midlands. South Carolina has long provided our company with a positive business environment and a strong workforce. We appreciate all the support we’ve received from state and local officials."