Sanko’s new manufacturing facility on San Antonio’s Southside, described during its groundbreaking, promises 1,500 jobs and bolsters U.S.-Japan economic ties.
SAN ANTONIO — A groundbreaking ceremony was held on the south side for a new manufacturing facility.
The Japanese-based company Sanko is building the facility just across from the Toyota plant off Watson Road and Lone Star Pass, and leaders expect it will help drive the south-side economy. KENS 5’s Meredith Haas attended the groundbreaking and spoke with leaders about what the facility will bring.
Soon, the land will be home to Sanko’s first manufacturing plant in the United States, producing plastic bins and pallets. County and city leaders joined the groundbreaking ceremony, noting the move will help strengthen relations with Japan.
“We are meeting the needs of the advanced manufacturing training jobs that are necessary, and we’re going to expand,” Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai said.
According to Sakai, the facility will employ about 1,500 people, including 300 from San Antonio.
Leaders with the facility told KENS 5 they are not yet sure when construction will begin.
Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones also spoke about the importance of continuing relationships between Japanese manufacturers such as Sanko and San Antonio, particularly on a national stage when it comes to foreign relations.
“The importance of making sure that San Antonio has a loud voice when it comes to the USMCA deal — talk about how we can keep those barriers low so that trade can continue to make those products and make them affordable for working communities,” the mayor said.
The mayor went on to say the manufacturing plant will create stronger relationships, similar to the partnership with Toyota.
“Sign a trilateral MOU and strengthening those is going to be more important as we bring strong economic deals to our community,” she said.