Engineered Sintered Components (ESC), a joint venture between Sumitomo Electric and Eaton Corp., announced a $9 million investment in their Troutman, N.C., manufacturing operations. The expansion will include a 20,000-square-foot addition to the company's second on-site facility and new equipment to support business secured in the manufacturing of powder-metal components for the auto industry. ESC plans to hire 25 staff within the first six months of the project, which is scheduled for completion in late October/early November.