ThyssenKrupp today gave the green light for the construction of a further auto component plant in Mexico. In the coming months the company plans to invest around 45 million euros in the building of a new production site for engine parts. Construction of the new facility in San Miguel de Allende in the Mexican state of Guanajuato is scheduled to begin in early 2016. From 2017 the plant will produce cylinder head covers with integrated camshafts for North American auto manufacturers. By this investment ThyssenKrupp creates around 180 highly skilled jobs.
Dr. Karsten Kroos, CEO of the Components Technology business area at ThyssenKrupp: “We are benefiting from new orders from the fast-growing auto market in North America, especially in Mexico. We plan to continue our profitable growth in North America in the next five years with around 500 million euros investment in new plants. Around half is earmarked for projects in Mexico.”
The auto industry in Mexico has grown strongly in recent years. Over three million cars rolled off production lines in the country last year, almost ten percent more than a year earlier. All the big international OEMs have production sites in Mexico and many are currently investing in new plants. The Mexican auto industry employs around 600,000 people, making Mexico the world’s sixth biggest auto manufacturer.
ThyssenKrupp already produces components for the auto industry at four sites in Mexico. Products include engine and steering components, springs and stabilizers, as well as axle module assembly. Only this April ThyssenKrupp opened a new plant for steering systems in Puebla. The Group is also building an axle assembly plant in San Jose Chiapa, due to start supplying to Audi in 2016.
ThyssenKrupp is the world market leader for assembled camshafts. The company has unlocked major growth potential with a further development of this technology featuring camshafts integrated fully into the cylinder head. The construction of the new cylinder head cover facility in San Miguel de Allende continues the company’s regionalization strategy in the components business. Since 2013 three new plants have begun production in China, Germany and Brazil to meet high demand for the product. The integrated design of the module permits weight savings of up to 30 percent, lower fuel consumption and reduced emissions. Another advantage is faster and more efficient engine assembly at the car plant.
