16.06.2026
Gestamp, the multinational specialized in the design, development and manufacture of highly engineered metal components for the automotive industry, has recently started operations at its new plant in Piracicaba (São Paulo), marking the company's eighth facility in Brazil.
The plant was officially inaugurated today by Francisco J. Riberas, Executive Chairman of Gestamp, and Miguel Ángel Vicente, CEO of Gestamp Mercosur, during a ceremony attended by Helinho Zanatta, Mayor of Piracicaba, representatives of the Government of the State of São Paulo, and officials from the Economic and Commercial Office of the Embassy of Spain in São Paulo.
The opening of the Piracicaba plant underscores Gestamp’s commitment to the Brazilian market at a time when global light vehicle production forecasts point to a decline in 2026 and the company is maintaining a selective investment strategy worldwide, prioritizing growth markets while containing overall capital expenditure.
Located in a strategic hub for Brazil’s automotive industry, the Piracicaba facility offers 16,500 square meters of industrial capacity, with expansion potential up to 40,000 square meters to support growing industry demand. According to current S&P Global Mobility forecasts, light vehicle production in Brazil is expected to reach 3.2 million units by 2030, representing a 30% increase compared to 2025.
Designed to operate with high standards of efficiency, flexibility and technological performance, the plant currently employs around 50 professionals. This figure could increase to 150 employees within the existing facility and reach 500 employees should future expansions be undertaken.
The plant is currently focused on manufacturing highly engineered metal body-in-white components and features a hot stamping line with an electric furnace—the first of its kind in the region—as well as laser cutting and welding cells.
Gestamp is a pioneer in hot stamping technology, which is essential for producing lighter and safer components. These solutions help improve vehicle efficiency and reduce CO₂ emissions while also enhancing the efficiency of automakers’ assembly processes.
Under the framework of long-term renewable energy agreements in Brazil, the Piracicaba plant will be powered by renewable energy sources. In addition, and in line with initiatives implemented across Gestamp’s global manufacturing footprint, the facility will promote water consumption reduction and waste management practices aimed at achieving a recycling rate of more than 90% of total waste generated.
Francisco J. Riberas, Executive Chairman of Gestamp, stated:
“The choice of Piracicaba enables the company to establish operations in a strategic hub for the Brazilian automotive industry and reinforces our commitment to the state of São Paulo, where major global vehicle manufacturers operate.”
“Our operating model, characterized by efficiency, together with our innovation capabilities, proprietary technologies and advances in digitalization, has enabled us to consolidate our position as a high-value-added, competitive and trusted technology partner for the leading automotive manufacturers operating in the country. At the same time, these strengths have placed us in a strong position to continue contributing to the development of mobility in Brazil, a country with significant growth prospects in which we firmly believe”, he added.
Nearly three decades of growth in Brazil
Gestamp’s commitment to Brazil dates back to 1997, when the company began operations in the country. One year later, it established a plant in the state of Paraná. Since then, the company’s customer-proximity strategy and investments aimed at localizing production have enabled Gestamp to expand to eight manufacturing facilities, located in Betim, Sorocaba, Taubaté, Santa Isabel, São José dos Pinhais, Gravataí and Piracicaba.
Gestamp’s industrial footprint in Brazil totals approximately 300,000 square meters and includes 58 stamping production lines, seven of which use hot stamping technology. The company employs nearly 5,000 people in the country and manufactures body-in-white components and assemblies, chassis parts, mechanisms and hinges.
At the same time, Brazil has become a key driver of innovation for the company through Gestamp’s São Paulo R&D center, inaugurated in 2008. The center has evolved into a strategic hub for early-stage technology development and close collaboration with customers.
The strategy executed by Gestamp has driven more than 80% revenue growth in Brazil over the past five full fiscal years, positioning the country among the company’s top five markets by revenue. Specifically, Gestamp’s sales in Brazil reached €677 million in 2025, compared with €375 million in 2021.