The new company, Nippon Steel & Sumikin Cold Heading Wire Indiana, will build a 150,000-square foot plant at Shelbyville, which is expected to open by 2018 and to produce 39,000 tons of steel wire per year.

“High-quality wire is essential to producing nuts, bolts and other fasteners used in cars and trucks to ensure the highest levels of safety,” said Hideoki Kimura, president of the new company. “We chose Indiana and the Shelbyville community for this investment because of the central location, established manufacturing industry and the skilled workforce available.”

Indiana has received the largest amount of Japanese investment per capita in the US, according to the Indiana Economic Development Corp. More than 250 Japan-based companies have established operations in the state. Nearly 40 Japan-based companies have said they will open facilities or expand in Indiana since January 2013.