Magna International, Inc., a leading global automotive supplier headquartered in Ontario, Canada, has announced it is setting up two new facilities in Sanand region of Gujarat as part of its global engineering and manufacturing expansion.
“While the new plants reflect business awards for vehicle programmes built off global-platforms, they also help position Magna for further growth in India as vehicle production expands,” a company release said.
At one of the new Sanand facilities, Magna will make complete seat systems for a leading automaker. The 215,000-sq. ft plant will employ approximately 200 people and is expected to begin volume production in 2015.
At the second new facility, the company will manufacture body and chassis systems for multiple customers. The 356,000-sq. ft plant will employ approximately 400 people and also expects to begin volume production in 2015.
“Magna’s growth in markets such as India reflects our customers’ need for world-class, innovative suppliers,” said Jim Tobin, Chief Marketing Officer and President, Magna Asia. “With almost a million square feet of capacity now installed in India, we believe we are extremely well-positioned to support the increasing vehicle production forecast for the Indian automotive industry.”
Magna’s growing presence in India also includes the following existing facilities:
- A 279,000-sq. ft body and chassis plant in Pune which performs blanking, stamping, forming as well as welding and assembly on programmes for customers such as General Motors, Volkswagen, Tata Motors and Mahindra & Mahindra.
- A 225,000-sq. ft body and chassis plant in Chennai which performs stamping, welding and assembly for customers such as Ford and Nissan in India, as well as customers outside India.
- A seating design and engineering center in Pune.
- A vacuum pump manufacturing facility in Bengaluru, serving customers like Maruti Suzuki, Honda Cars India, Mahindra & Mahindra, Renault-Nissan and Tata Motors.
Magna’s current presence in India includes approximately 1,600 employees. With the two new Sanand facilities, Magna will have 11 manufacturing locations and four engineering centres.
The company’s product capabilities include producing body, chassis, interior, exterior, seating, powertrain, electronic, vision, closure and roof systems and modules, as well as complete vehicle engineering and contract manufacturing
Meanwhile, Tata AutoComp Systems Ltd and Magna International, Inc. have signed a 50:50 joint venture agreement to provide seating systems to the Indian commercial vehicle industry. The JV will be focused on delivering innovative seating systems to commercial vehicle manufacturers as well as buses.
Ajay Tandon, MD & CEO, Tata AutoComp Systems Ltd, said, “Tata AutoComp has always been the frontrunner in offering cutting-edge technologies to its customers through its partners. This partnership with Magna will expand our portfolio to now bring the latest in seating systems to the Indian commercial vehicle industry.”
“Seating systems in commercial vehicles have not yet evolved in India. With the rapid increase in infrastructure, we envisage more and more vehicles plying long distances. In such a scenario, the safety and comfort of both driver and passengers is paramount. Through this joint venture, we intend to address this increasing need of the industry,” Arvind Goel, President and Chief of Operations and New Technology, Tata AutoComp Systems Ltd, added.
The joint venture will be headquartered in Pune, Maharashtra, and will supply seating systems to customers in India.
