Brose expands manufacturing capacities in North America
Having been awarded additional customer projects, the international automotive supplier Brose is expanding its manufacturing capacities in North America in order to supply its customers Chrysler and Ford. The mechatronic specialist will set up a new plant in New Boston, in the US state of Michigan, for the production of door and seat systems, which will go operational in 2013. Besides its North American headquarters in Auburn Hills and manufacturing plant in Jefferson, New Boston will be Brose’s third location in Michigan and its ninth in the North American region.
From its plant in New Boston, Brose will supply door systems to the Chrysler assembly plant in Tondelo/Ohio and seat adjusters for several of Ford's new vehicle models.
According to Scott Trujillo, Vice-President Finance at Brose North America, a number of locations were reviewed and evaluated during the selection process.
"The main reason for choosing New Boston was ultimately its proximity to our strategically important customers, as well as the positive economic climate created by the government and the company-friendly policies of Michigan," says Trujillo.
Jan Kowal, President Brose North America, expressed his satisfaction at the way business is developing in the North American region: "Compared to the year before, sales in North America increased by 25% in 2011, hitting the one-billion-dollar mark for the first time, and the number of employees rose by 19% to approx. 3,200. Given the good market success of our products and the anticipated sales growth, the number of employees working in Michigan is expected to increase by 450 by 2017.”
The company's further expansion in Michigan received support from Michigan Governor Rick Snyder: "With the 650 employees it currently has in Michigan, Brose is a global player and of fundamental importance to the supply chain in our domestic automotive industry. This increase in activity in our region clearly shows that our efforts to improve the economic climate in Michigan are paying off."