MORE than 300 jobs are being created with a new factory nearing completion.
Brose UK’s £35million factory in Exhall near Coventry took another major step forward this week when the first part of the building was completed and handed over to the company.
Managing director Juergen Zahl added the final panel to the new logistics department, a 2,500 square metre dedicated area that will help the firm centralise its transport operations.
More than 300 people have been recruited so far to work in the new facility, which will be responsible for producing more than half a million lightweight rear seat systems a year for Jaguar Land Rover.
This means the specialist in “mechatronic” systems for seats and doors and electric motors now employs 900 people.
Mr Zahl said: “We are very pleased with the progress of the building, which will double our production capacity in the UK.
“The frame of the building was completed in the middle of October and we have now been able to move our logistics department into a small part of the new building.
“It is intended that our dedicated ‘rear seating systems’ production line will be fully operational by the start of the year.
“This facility will be one of the most advanced in the Brose Group, with the latest robotic welding technology and full traceability. We expect the first composite seat components will be delivered to Jaguar Land Rover in 2016.
“Furthermore, we will also be installing a new automated line that removes the need to manually handle the larger rear seat systems during production – this is another major advancement.”
Brose UK’s decision to build the 11,400m2 facility has been supported by £3m of funding from the Government’s Regional Growth Fund.
Once complete, the site in Colliery Lane in Exhall will house the entire seating systems operation with the window regulator side of the business housed at its existing site in Courtaulds Way, near the centre of Coventry.
The German family-owned company says it is now in an ideal position to complete existing contracts with Jaguar Land Rover, Nissan and Toyota, whilst also looking to secure work on new model platforms being introduced.
Mr Zahl added: “Back in 2009, we employed about 120 people so our growth has been substantial and in keeping with the UK automotive sector’s success.
“The recruitment doesn’t stop there. We will need another 100 people in the next twelve months and are also looking to take on more apprentices that we can put through our internal training academy.”
G F Tomlinson is the company building the new factory.
Over 24,000 employees work for Brose at 60 locations in 23 countries and generate turnover of approximately €6 billion.
One in two new vehicles worldwide is equipped with at least one product manufactured by Brose, the company says.
