SAN JUAN DEL RIO, MEXICO - LG Innotek, a leading global components manufacturer, today opened in Mexico its first overseas plant for the production of auto components to better serve its leading Tier-1 automotive customers and strengthen its global expansion.
The opening ceremony for the plant in San Juan del Rio, Queretaro, northwest of Mexico City, was attended by more than 150 dignitaries including regional and local government officials and representatives of the South Korean government, who were hosted by Ung-Beom Lee, CEO of LG Innotek.
The plant will manufacture core automotive components, including motors for brakes, steering systems and gearshifts. The Mexican plant will help ensure on-time delivery of these crucial supplies to key automotive customers in Mexico and the rest of North America.
San Juan del Rio was selected as the first overseas site for LG Innotek’s automotive components operations because of its excellent road and air transport links to customers throughout North America. Mexico accounts for 60 percent of global exports of automotive components and is the main supplier to North America.
“The new facility in San Juan del Rio will be a core center in our global manufacturing network as we seek to provide better and more valuable support to our customers. We recognize the growing importance of Mexico as a major supplier hub in the global automotive industry,” said Mr. Lee. “Many of our customers already operate in Mexico and we believe that being close to them will enhance our on-time delivery record.”
The 34,000 square meter plant will employ around 600 workers and will begin full operations in August with the manufacturing of Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) motors.
Other main components slated for production at the plant will include Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) motors and Electric Power Steering (EPS) motors. Total annual production capacity is expected to increase to 7.6 million automotive motors by 2016.
In addition, the plant will eventually supply electronic automotive components, including LED lamp modules, camera modules, communication modules and parts used in connectivity and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).
LG Innotek has identified automotive components as an important business growth sector. LG Innotek takes pride in its smoothly functioning production process for auto components from supply chain sourcing to quality control and distribution.
LG Innotek has achieved ISO/TS 16949 certification, the automotive industry’s quality assurance system, and adopted the Advanced Production Quality Planning process.