Gestamp, the multinational company specialized in the design, development and manufacture of highly engineered metal components for the automotive industry opened its first plant in Japan today, located in Matsusaka (Mie prefecture).
The opening ceremony was attended by the Governor of Mie Prefecture, Eikei Suzuki; the vicemayor of Matsusaka, Tomohiro Nagasaku; the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Mitsui, Masami Iijima and the Executive Chairman of Gestamp, Francisco J. Riberas.
‘Gestamp Hot Stamping Japan’, which is the name of the new plant, will manufacture highly engineered metal Body-in-White components using hot stamping technology to reduce the weight of a vehicle and to increase its safety, an area in which the automotive multinational is a global leader. The plant will work for Japanese OEMs starting with Honda at this initial stage.
The new production plant has involved an initial investment of more than 40 million euros (more than 5 billion Japanese Yen). By the end of this year, around 60 people are expected to be employed at the new plant, which could increase as part of an expansion phase if new projects arise in the future.
The new facility has a medium Hot Stamping line of 1,200 tons, built by the equipment manufacturer Loire Gestamp, which is part of the Group. The plant will provide full service Hot Stamping capabilities as it also includes laser-cutting cells and shot blasting equipment.
Gestamp’s industrial footprint increases to 22 countries
The auto parts manufactured in Matsusaka are intended for Japan's domestic car market. This new plant will improve Gestamp’s knowledge of the need of Japanese car manufacturers, to whom the company already provides service to in their plants in North America, South America, Europe and Asia.
With Japan, Gestamp adds a new country to its industrial scope. With this new greenfield, the number of markets in which Gestamp is present increases to 22. Gestamp already has an active presence in the Japanese market through its R&D center in Tokyo, opened last year, and technical and commercial teams to support its Japanese clients.
The announcement of the new plant underpins Gestamp's vision to strengthen its strategic relationship with Japanese car manufacturers by adding their home market to its footprint.
Francisco J. Riberas, the Executive Chairman of Gestamp, summarized this milestone for the Group: “Gestamp’s strategy is always to accompany our customers and we are proud to be here in Japan, as this proximity will allow us to better serve Japanese OEMs in an efficient, innovative and competitive market.”
“Gestamp wants to be present in Japan to support and co-develop the car of the future with our Japanese customers, adding value through our state-of-the-art technology, specially via hot stamping to reduce weight and increase safety, also in their home market as we are already doing all over the world,” Riberas concluded.