QUERETARO, Mexico, Aug. 31, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Brose North America, a technological leader in mechatronics -- the integration of mechanics, electrics and electronics -- recently held a ceremony to lay the foundation stone for its new 56,000 square-meter manufacturing facility in Queretaro, Mexico. The $170 million investment supports growing customer needs and will be the first Brose site in North America to produce the company's easy-entry and lightweight power rear seat structures. It is Brose's third facility in the Queretaro area and its fourth in Mexico.
During the event, Brose representatives Thomas Spangler, Chief Technology Officer Brose Group, and Michael Brosseau, President Brose North America, were joined by Mexican government officials, Governor Francisco Dominguez Servien and Marco del Prete Tercero, Sustainable Development Secretary, to celebrate Brose's expansion and place the ceremonial first stone of the building's foundation.
"25 years after the first Brose groundbreaking here in Queretaro, the beginning of a new plant remains an emotional event. Once it is complete, we will manufacture the entire Brose product portfolio in Mexico: doors, seats and drives. This is proof of our successful management in North America and our sustainable business development as a family-owned company," said Thomas Spangler.
Introduction of power rear seat structures
The new plant will house vertically integrated technological processes -- stamping, welding, painting and final assembly -- and create 900 new jobs. Employees at the site will be the first in North America to manufacture Brose second-row and third-row seat structures. Among these products are the first Brose electronic easy-entry solutions for accessing the vehicle's third row while maintaining an impressive weight-savings target. Some of the seat structures also will have the Brose-designed innovative electronic quick-fold function that creates a flat cargo area across the second and third rows of seats. Series production is expected to begin in summer 2018.
"Being the first regional site to produce our rear seat structures is an honor. We are excited to share this achievement, expand our footprint and bring new jobs to the Queretaro community," said Miguel Castillero, General Manager of the new Brose Queretaro plant.
Solid, long-standing presence in Queretaro
By bringing a third plant to Queretaro, Brose will both strategically grow its seat business division and develop a more prominent presence as a supplier to the growing number of OEM assembly facilities in Mexico. Having another location in close proximity to the cluster of customers in the area is paramount to optimize logistics and ensure the company is providing customers with cost-effective solutions.
Brose Queretaro-Benito Juarez opened in 1993, making it the company's first manufacturing facility in North America. Today, nearly 400 employees produce window regulators and latches for global automakers. The company's second Queretaro-area production site, in El Marques, opened in 2011. Brose products including window regulator motors, electronic break system as well as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning blowers, electronic power steering, drive train actuators and cooling fan modules are manufactured by more than 1,000 employees.
"I am pleased that Queretaro has been able to meet the expectations of such a successful and innovative employer," said Governor Francisco Dominguez Servien. "Brose has brought valuable technology and expertise to Queretaro. The company provides a safe and stable work environment to its employees and is an employer of choice for our people. In return, the city is committed to be a good partner and support entrepreneurship by providing good business conditions."
About Brose
Brose is the world's fifth-largest family-owned automotive supplier. The company develops and produces mechatronic systems for vehicle doors and seats as well as electric motors and drives. More than 24,000 employees at 60 locations in 23 countries generate over 6.1 billion euros in turnover. Every second new vehicle worldwide is equipped with at least one Brose product.
About Brose North America
Brose has been a committed partner to the North American market since 1993. The mechatronic specialist now counts eight locations across Canada, the United States and Mexico and employs approximately 5,000 people in the region. The entire range of Brose products is manufactured throughout the North American facilities, from window regulator and door modules to seat systems.
