AAM to build new manufacturing facility in Barcelona
July 13, 2018
American Axle & Manufacturing, Detroit, Michigan, USA, has announced plans to establish a new production facility in Viladecans, Spain, to support growth with new and existing European customers. Set to open in January 2019, the new 15,000 m2 facility, located 20 km southwest of Barcelona, will produce powertrain components for Europe’s leading automakers including Renault, BMW, Daimler, Porsche, Audi and Ford.
The new operation consolidates two smaller facilities in nearby Gavà and at full capacity will house 170 employees. “As AAM continues to diversify and expand our global customer base and product mix, our new Barcelona facility will be an integral part of our European manufacturing footprint,” stated David C Dauch, AAM Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “The new facility will help AAM meet customer demand for products that help reduce noise and vibrations from downsized engines.”
Among others, AAM will produce damped gears for Ford, BMW and PSA, PV bonded dampers for Audi, Mercedes and FCA, isolation pulleys for Renault and in-mould bonded dampers for Mercedes, Ford and Porsche.
“The new Barcelona facility will allow AAM to rationalise and improve operations through a lean and efficient layout and production flow and to re-integrate the currently externalised warehouse,” added Greg Deveson, President, AAM Powertrain. “As automakers continue to downsize engines, especially with the increased number of hybrid applications, demand for products like damped gears and isolation pulleys will increase. This new facility will help AAM continue to meet and exceed our customers’ performance and quality expectations.”
The Catalonia Trade and Investment agency, the INCASÒL and the Consorci urbanístic DeltaBCN are reported to have supported AAM with the expansion.
