Metal components specialist Gestamp has opened a new manufacturing facility in the UK at Four Ashes near Wolverhampton (English west Midlands).
The new plant includes stamping equipment in its 50,000 square metres facility. It will include the production capability of the existing Gestamp Cannock plant when the existing capacity is transferred, safeguarding 800 jobs.
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An investment close to GBP50m to date will upgrade the company's industrial capabilities in the region and an additional amount could be invested depending on future projects. Gestamp has opened five facilities worldwide in 2018 including the west Midlands.
Gestamp says the new plant will bring a 'completely innovative technology of hot stamping'. That includes one of the biggest hot stamping lines in the world aiming to provide a better service to customers including JLR, Nissan-Renault, Volvo, Ford, BMW, Toyota and Honda.
The plant will also manufacture aluminium parts in a transfer servo press, including battery boxes for electrical vehicles. The equipment will comprise laser cells for cutting and welding.
"This new plant is more efficient and competitive, it is a customer focused factory with opportunity for further growth with both existing and new clients," Gestamp Executive Chairman, Francisco J. Riberas said.
"We will continue to help our customers and provide them with the latest technologies such as hot and aluminium stamping. We are already supporting them with the challenges that they face with electrical vehicles by providing lighter and safer solutions," he added.
Currently, Gestamp UK comprises seven production plants, three in the North East, two in the Midlands and one each in Llanelli and Fareham with a total workforce of nearly 3,000 employees. Since 2012, Gestamp has invested more than GBP200m in its UK plants.
