Gestamp launches its seventh plant in Brazil

It will begin to supply FCA in the country

Gestamp adds a new hot stamping line in Betim in a facility that has involved an investment of 24,9 million euros.

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Gestamp, a Spanish multinational specialized in the design, development and manufacture of metal components for automotive, has launched a new plant specialized in hot stamping in Betim (Minas Gerais, Brazil). The company has invested 24,9 million euros in the new facility that will serve Fiat Chrysler Automobile (FCA).

 

Gestamp will begin to provide thus FCA in the country. It will do it for the models Fiat Palio and Siena with new requirements and the highest technology. Specifically, the new plant, which will also be equipped with laser cutting and assembly cells, will manufacture structural and body parts.

 

The facility, which is currently running test runs and will be ready for mass production this summer, will employ a total of 82 people by the end of 2017. The hot foil stamping line Betim reinforces the bet of Gestamp for this technology in Brazil.

 

The Group company specialized in the design and manufacture of press lines, Loire Gestamp, has been in charge of designing, producing and installing the hot stamping line in the new plant, which has a 1.200-ton press. This line incorporates automatic connections for tool change, thermal imaging cameras and a monitoring system.

 

El president and CEO of Gestamp, Francisco Riberas, pointed out that “the commitment to the country remains intact” and said he was confident that “the presence in Brazil through the plants already in operation and this new one that is now being announced, allowing the company to grow in anticipation of the country's economic recovery."

 

The head of Gestamp added that the Group “hopes to achieve sustainable growth in Brazil, seeking to satisfy customer demands with the highest quality and technology.”

 

 

Gestamp has 75 hot stamping lines in the world to manufacture lighter and safer body components

 

 

 

75 hot stamping lines in the Group

 

Gestamp It already has 75 hot stamping lines around the world. This technology makes it possible to lighten the weight of the body structure very significantly, thereby reducing vehicle emissions.

 

Likewise, the hot stamping process improves crash behavior and contributes to passenger safety. Gestamp is one of the world's largest suppliers of parts made by hot stamping. Its industrial model covers the entire value chain, including the manufacturing of dies and press lines.

 

The seventh Gestamp plant in Brazil

 

The new plant Gestamp in Brazil It is Gestamp's seventh in this market. In addition, the company has an R&D center in the country where work is being done to reduce the weight of vehicles and increase their safety.

 

The Spanish multinational is already working in Brazil with General Motors, Volkswagen, Renault-Nissan, PSA, Honda, FCA and Ford as main clients. Gestamp had a turnover of 246 million euros in Brazil in 2016.

 

The Brazilian automotive market is the tenth in the world. After a drop in volumes since 2014, the country is expected to return to the path of growth in vehicle manufacturing from 2017. IHS forecasts 13% growth for this year.