Kiyoshi Furuta, chairman of Toyota Boshoku American announced today that a new plant will be built in Itawamba County, Mississippi to supply seats, door panels and carpets for Toyota Highlander crossover vehicles that will be produced at a Tupelo, MS plant scheduled to be opened in 2010.

The 341,000 square-foot factory will be home to around 500 employees, and will become the first supplier to move into the state since the February, 2007 announcement of the planned Toyota Motor Corp. plant in Tupelo.

In a statement released today, Furuta said, "Toyota Boshoku America is a growing company, and we plan to continue to meet customer demand by expanding our presence and sales in the U.S."

Toyota Boshoku America is number 17 on the Automotive News list of 100 top global suppliers, and had an estimated worldwide sales total of over $9 billion last year. The company was established in 2001, and is headquartered in Erlanger, KY.

In addition to seats and door panels, Toyota Boshoku America also produces air filters, oil filters and power-trains.