Japanese Manufacturer Brings 300 Jobs to San Antonio

San Antonio's South Side just landed another major manufacturing victory that will create hundreds of good-paying jobs for local families.

Sanko Texas Corp., a Japanese plastic manufacturing giant, broke ground last week on a nearly $40 million facility that will serve as both its first U.S. plant and American headquarters. The company plans to hire 100 workers when operations begin in early 2028, with plans to grow to 300 employees as the business expands.

The 43.7-acre site sits directly across from Toyota's South Side plant, and that's no coincidence. Sanko already supplies plastic containers and palettes to Toyota's assembly lines in Japan, producing more than 70% of the country's industrial plastic products.

President and CEO Toshihiko Goto said the company wants to build the same partnership with Toyota's U.S. operations while serving other automotive, retail, and logistics companies. The strategy is simple: establish a strong foundation in Texas before expanding across America.

At least 50 positions will be created by 2029, with 42 of those jobs paying between $53,400 and $80,099 annually. The remaining positions will offer even higher salaries, though specific details weren't disclosed.

The Ripple Effect

San Antonio's South Side is rapidly becoming a manufacturing powerhouse that's changing lives across the region. Across the street, Toyota is developing a 500,000-square-foot rear axle plant adding 400 jobs. Down the road, British-owned JCB is building a $500 million facility bringing 1,500 positions to the area.

Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones highlighted why companies keep choosing San Antonio: the city has 99,000 residents with advanced manufacturing backgrounds, and it costs 15% less to do business here than in Austin. The city's location also makes international trade with Mexico and South America easier.

Bexar County Commissioner Rebeca Clay-Flores celebrated the international collaboration at the groundbreaking ceremony. "This is what makes America great: communities that come together internationally, all ethnic backgrounds," she said.

The county is considering a 10-year tax abatement worth $824,848 to support the project, with commissioners scheduled to vote this Tuesday.

Three hundred families will soon have new opportunities to build better futures, and a Texas city is proving that smart economic development creates real prosperity for everyone.