Prehhas completed the large-scale expansion of its production facilities in Monterrey, Mexico. The new extension of the Kalos plant began operating on November 20.
The Kalos site has now grown by over 53,800 sq. ft. to a total area of 143,160 sq. ft. The plant opened in August 2011 with an area of 89,340 sq. ft. Together with its sister plant, Avante, which spans an area of 80,740 sq. ft., Preh de México now has a total of 223,890 sq. ft. of production space in Monterrey.
Preh entered the North American market just nine years ago, in late 2005. Whereas it employed only 30 people when production began in 2005, its workforce has now grown to 670, generating sales in excess of $140 million. Thursday’s opening ceremony for the expanded Kalos plant was attended not only by Preh managers from Germany and Mexico, but also representatives from the Mexican state of Nueva León and the city of Monterrey.
Preh’s production crews in Monterrey make car HMI (human-machine interface) systems, primarily for the North American market, including Ford, General Motors, BMW and VW. Its manufacturing capabilities range from plastic injection molding and surface technology at the Avante plant, to SMD (surface-mounted device) assembly, final assembly and testing at the Kalos plant.
Preh has chalked up impressive growth in the NAFTA area since it entered the market just under a decade ago. For example, the German auto parts supplier based in Bad Neustadt a. d. Saale has managed to become the market leader in the key climate-control systems segment in the US.
Preh Group President and CEO Dr. Michael Roesnick says of the expansion of the Kalos plant, “We have reason to be proud of what we have achieved. Our team in Monterrey has delivered first-rate performance at both locations in a short space of time, thus enabling us to grow in the U.S. Both plants represent outstanding quality, competitive cost structures and a very committed workforce. I am extremely grateful to both the management of Preh de México as well as to all our employees. Together with our Chinese partner Joyson, we have become a global player in the automotive electronics segment and have every reason to be optimistic for the prospects of all Preh locations.”
