A global automotive industry supplier is planning a $2.2 million in expansion in Springboro that is expected to add 14 new jobs and $760,000 in additional annual payroll within three years.

With city approvals, Sunstar Engineering Americas hopes to begin construction next spring on more than 31,000 square feet of offices and warehouse space, along with a driveway and parking at 85 S. Pioneer Dr., off Central Avenue\Ohio 73 in Springboro.

“We need to move as soon as possible,” said Mike Messer, president of the Springboro-based division of Sunstar.

There have been multiple developments to move the expansion forward this week:

• On Wednesday, the Springboro Planning Commission reviewed the site plan and scheduled a vote on approval for Jan. 30.
• And on Monday, the Ohio Tax Credit Authority approved a 40-percent, five-year tax credit worth $46,674 if the company agreed to continue operations in Ohio for eight years, retain $4.6 million in annual payroll and create the new jobs.

“The company will also claim the tax credit on income tax revenue generated at the project location in excess of the company’s baseline income tax revenue at the project location,” according to a project scope document released by the state.

Ohio was competing for the expansions with Illinois, according to the Ohio Department of Development Services.

Already Sunstar employs 84 workers in Springboro and Frankin. The new jobs would be in operations, research and development, human resources, information technology, quality control and sales.

The expansion planned in Springboro includes a three-story, 15,000 square foot office building, including an exercise facility, as well as 16,000 square feet in added warehouse space.

“We’re looking forward to it,” Springboro Mayor John Agenbroad said.

According to property records, the company already has about 50,000 square feet of manufacturing, office, laboratory and warehouse space on four acres in Springboro.

Adhesives, sealants and coating products are produced there for instrument panels, door panels, consoles and glove boxes. In addition, the products are used on caskets, sports equipment, appliances and in construction, according to company web site.

In Franklin, Sunstar Sprockets & Chains supplies motorcycle and ATV markets in the U.S. and Canada. The facility, at 700 Watkins Glen Dr., already includes 54,000 square feet of manufacturing, warehouse and offices on six acres just west of Interstate 75.

Both operations are subsidiaries of Sunstar Engineering, a supplier to the Japanese automotive industry for more than 50 years, now based in Switzerland.