Spanish company establishing North American headquarters in Virginia Beach

A Spanish metal components manufacturer announced plans Wednesday to establish its North American headquarters in Virginia Beach.

The $17.5 million project is expected to create 85 jobs over three years.

SANJO will supply specialty metal components to Stihl Inc., also based in Virginia Beach, as well as to automotive suppliers throughout North America.

SANJO designs and constructs progressive dies and stamping parts, assembles stamping parts, produces components with fineblanking and heat treatment processes, and performs final machining. (Fineblanking is a hybrid metal-forming process combining the technologies of stamping and cold extrusion.) The company, founded in 1967, currently exports to 27 countries.

Gov. Terry McAuliffe approved a $250,000 grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund for project.

The company also will receive benefits from the Port of Virginia Economic and Infrastructure Development Zone Grant Program and be eligible to receive sales and use tax exemptions on manufacturing equipment.

Funding and services to support the company’s employee training activities will be provided through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program.

The Virginia Beach Development Authority will take action on a local Economic Development Investment Program grant request in July.

Virginia competed against Kentucky for the project.