Japanese company Nipro Medical has announced plans to build its first North American manufacturing facility in North Carolina, US, with an investment of approximately $398m over the coming five years.

Planned to be developed in Greenville, the facility will be Nipro's first venture into the production of advanced medical devices in the US.

This development is expected to create 232 jobs.

Nipro global business senior managing director Tsuyoshi Yamazaki said: “We are thrilled to start manufacturing our cutting-edge medical devices in the US, which will support local healthcare professionals and patients with a stable supply chain and reduced transportation costs.

“Our proximity to customers will allow us to better respond to their needs and provide them with timely and effective solutions. Our new facility in Greenville is a major milestone in our sustainability journey, reflecting our commitment to reducing our carbon footprint.”

The facility will focus on producing medical devices for patients with chronic kidney disease, diabetes and other renal health issues.

The new 550,000ft² manufacturing campus will not only increase Nipro's global capacity but also host a medical training centre for healthcare providers and a customer service centre.

It was made possible in part by a Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG) approved by the Economic Investment Committee of the state.

Over the grant’s 12-year term, the project is estimated to grow the state's economy by $797m.

North Carolina Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders said: “Japan is the largest foreign investor in our state and announcements like this only strengthen our partnership.

“With the largest manufacturing workforce in the southeastern United States and a strategic plan that focuses on talent, we are committed to supporting the training and development systems needed to ensure we have the skilled workforce that global innovators like Nipro depend on.”