Sumitomo Machinery Corporation of America has chosen Suffolk for its new centralized distribution center.

The company has leased 60,000 square feet in the Virginia Regional Commerce Park off U.S. Route 460. It also is transforming its Chesapeake facility from an assembly/distribution center to assembly/manufacturing facility.

The company is engaged in a variety of businesses, including metal products, food products, auto parts, communications and more. Its Chesapeake facility will produce Cyclo Bevel Buddybox 4 and 5 series products, which are used in material handling, asphalt mixers, specialty machine industries, conveyor belts and more.

The distribution center in Suffolk will consolidate purchasing and stock inventories and streamline the order flow process for North American customers, according to a press release from the company. The total capital investment for the center will be about $1 million.

“We are delighted to welcome Sumitomo, a well-respected international company, to Suffolk,” Mayor Linda T. Johnson was quoted as saying in a press release. “Their Centralized Distribution Center will bring new job opportunities to our community and demonstrates their confidence in our workforce, infrastructure and economy. This is also a great example of how economic development projects can be done collaboratively, which ultimately benefits all the parties involved.”

“The Port of Virginia, Chesapeake and Suffolk cities have all given Sumitomo a reason to stay locally to continue to expand business operations,” said the press release.