HBPO, which develops, designs, assembles and delivers complex front-end modules, has broken ground for its new plant in Vaihingen/Enz ahead of a production start in autumn 2018.
Following an extensive location analysis, HBPO decided on Vaihingen.
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“We will be situated in an excellent position between our two key customers Daimler and Porsche,” said president and CEO Martin Schuler.
The supplier works on a just-in-sequence basis and delivers to the customer just as the modules are required in production. Vaihingen offers just the right preconditions for these requirements.
“The road links to Sindelfingen and Zuffenhausen – including alternative routes – make it the perfect location,” Schuler said.
The plant is expected to be ready to start initial pre-series deliveries by autumn 2018. A plant size of 10,000 sq m is planned. Two production options will be installed here: one for series and one for made-to-order production.
“Headquartered in Lippstadt, HBPO GmbH was founded in 2004 as a joint venture between the three auto parts suppliers, Hella, Behr, and Plastic Omnium. It is the successor to Hella-Behr Fahrzeugsysteme GmbH which had been established in 1999. Hella is a specialist in lighting and electronics, Behr concentrates on vehicle air conditioning and engine cooling while Plastic Omnium specialises in painted body modules, crash management, and pedestrian safety. The partners have equal shares. Its customers include Hyundai, Porsche, Seat, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Ford, Chrysler, Skoda, BMW, and Kia. In early 2010, Porsche honoured HBPO with a Supplier Award for its partnership, communication and commitment.”
Company overview
“Until the plant in Vaihingen/Enz is finished, we will be working at the specially set up temporary location in Freiberg am Neckar,” said Wolfgang Schmitz, new plant manager for Vaihingen/Enz.
Around 30 new employees are being taken on this year – by 2020 this will have increased to 100.
