Gestamp opens its new plant in West Midlands

Gestamp, the multinational company specialized in the design, development and manufacture of highly engineered metal components for the automotive industry opened its new manufacturing facility  in Four Ashes near Wolverhampton (West Midlands).

The new plant has state-of-the-art stamping equipment in its 50,000 square metres facility. It will include the production capability of the existing Gestamp Cannock plant when the existing capacity is transferred, safeguarding 800 jobs.

An investment close to £50 million to date will upgrade the company’s industrial capabilities in the region and an additional amount could be invested depending on future projects. Gestamp has opened five facilities worldwide in 2018 including West Midlands.

State-of-the-art technology for Gestamp clients

The new plant will bring a completely innovative technology of hot stamping. That includes one of the biggest hot stamping lines in the world aiming to provide a better service to customers, namely JLR, Nissan-Renault, Volvo, Ford, BMW, Toyota and Honda.

The plant will also manufacture aluminium parts in an innovative transfer servo press, including battery boxes for electrical vehicles. The equipment will comprise laser cells for cutting and welding.

“This new plant is more efficient and competitive, it is a customer focused factory with opportunity for further growth with both existing and new clients,” Gestamp Executive Chairman, Francisco J. Riberas stated.

“We will continue to help our customers and provide them with the latest technologies such as hot and aluminium stamping. We are already supporting them with the challenges that they face with electrical vehicles by providing lighter and safer solutions,” he added.   

Currently, Gestamp UK comprises seven production plants, three in the North East, two in the Midlands and one each in Llanelli and Fareham with a total workforce of nearly 3,000 employees. Since 2012, Gestamp has invested more than £200 million in its UK plants.

About Gestamp

Gestamp is a multinational specialized in the design, development and manufacture of highly engineered metal components for top vehicle manufacturers. It develops products with an innovative design to produce lighter and safer vehicles, which offer improved energy consumption and a reduced environmental impact. Its products cover the areas of body-in-white, chassis and mechanisms.

The company is present in 21 countries with 107 manufacturing plants and 5 under construction, 13 R&D centers, a workforce of more than 41,000 employees worldwide. Its turnover was €8,202m in 2017. Gestamp is listed on the Spanish stock market under the GEST ticker.