Japan-based automotive supplier DENSO will invest $2.2 million to open a 103,000 square foot shipping plant and warehouse at 101 Smothers Road in Montgomery, Alabama, resulting in at least 45 new positions. Its new location will support the warehousing and shipping of Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning units and other parts for its North American customers. Start of operation is scheduled for April 2014.

“First we’d like to thank our North American customers, because when they grow and expand it allows DENSO to grow and expand. It’s always been DENSO’s core operating philosophy to be close to our customers in the regions in which we operate,” said Hikaru “Howard” Sugi, President and CEO of DENSO International America, Inc. “We’re proud to extend our network and welcome Montgomery into the DENSO family.”

“We are grateful to the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce, the City of Montgomery Industrial Development Board, the Montgomery County Commission and all the city and state officials who have helped pave the way for this new facility,” said Mike Bowman, Director of Warehousing Operations.

The firm said this latest investment is part of DENSO’s expansion plan to invest nearly $1 billion in North America, more than $750 million in the United States, to strengthen and expand its product development and manufacturing capabilities across the region.