Suspension manufacturer KW Automotive is confident in its future, and is expanding operations with another production hall, a development centre and administration offices, at its headquarters in Fichtenberg, Germany. The first stages of construction and groundwork operations have already begun, with the excavation of 16,000 cubic meters of soil. The building of the structures is scheduled to start in September, with completion scheduled for the end of 2023.
The owner-operated automotive suspension manufacturer plans to use the new production facility to manufacture more of its electromagnetic proportional valves for semi-active and active coilover suspensions and shock absorbers.
Between 2018 to 2020, KW Automotive invested 40 million Euros in its Fichtenberg facility. By the end of 2023, the company will have invested eight million Euros in buildings, and seven million Euros in equipment and machinery in Fichtenberg.
Modern machinery will also be added to the facility, to be used for order-related production and to give the company more flexibility. Almost 95% of manufacturing for the various suspension applications of the KW and ST brands, as well for customers from the automotive and accessories industry, is completed in-house. The manufacturing area will have an additional 3,000 square metres.
The new machinery will include CNC milling and machining centres, and laser welding and laser-cutting systems. The flexible production structure at KW will be further expanded to manufacture all suspension products in a shorter time period. One focus of the new production hall will be the order-specific production of electromagnetic proportional valves. Through this vertical expansion of production, KW Automotive will be even more independent of external suppliers and will enhance the synergy between subsidiary companies of KW Automotive. By doing so, KW will maintain more control of its core competencies in adaptive damper control systems.
The new building will also include areas for production control and development, as well as a training centre for staff from approved dealers. In addition, 1,800 square metres will be reserved for 60 modern offices. The expanded facility will also create additional jobs in Fichtenberg, building on the existing workforce of 360 people at the facility.
