Brose looks to double production volume in China by 2019

The Brose Group, the world’s fifth-largest family-owned automotive supplier, opened a new headquarters with an adjacent plant in Shanghai, China. Around 600 employees are actively engaged in the 12 Chinese locations and provide support to six production sites and sales offices in Japan, Korea and Thailand from the modern office building.

The new building is located adjacent to an ultra-modern production hall on a 40,000-square-meter site. The plant has a base area of 14,000 square meters and produces 3.3 million components and systems on average each year. The company plans to nearly double its production volume in the next two years.

With a total investment of 72 million euros, Brose says it is laying the foundation for solid growth in the world’s largest automotive market. Jürgen Otto, CEO of the Brose Group, stressed this during a ceremony on 21 April with 120 guests from business and politics.

Brose began operations in China over 20 years ago with its window regulator production. Now the mechatronics specialist manufactures its entire product portfolio, from door and seat systems to electric motors and drives in the region. The company consistently expanded its local development expertise in parallel to these efforts. Today the company employs 4,000 people in China.

The region contributes about 20 percent of the Brose Group’s turnover. The share is expected to rise to 25 percent by 2025 with turnover growing from 1.2 billion euros to 2 billion euros. “We continue to see excellent potential in the Chinese market with our mechatronics expertise, above all in the electrification of vehicles,” said Jürgen Otto. Brose will expand its cooperation network with local partners and intensify its development efforts on site.

The automotive supplier wants to further expand development in 48-volt applications at the central location in Shanghai/China. “China is the leading market for electromobility. Brose will develop new and innovative products here that will help our domestic and global customers further enhance the efficiency of electric and conventional vehicles,” added Jürgen Otto.

In addition, Brose is working on new adjustment systems for the vehicle interior along with power opening and closing side doors. The company is presenting its latest products and systems until 28 April 2017 at Auto Shanghai, one of the most important car shows worldwide.  

In 61 locations in 23 countries
Brose develops and produces mechatronic systems for vehicle doors and seats as well as electric motors, drives and electronics, among others for steering, brakes, transmissions and engine cooling. Nearly 25,000 employees at 61 locations in 23 countries including India generate turnover of 6.1 billion euros. An automotive fact is that every second new vehicle worldwide is equipped with at least one Brose product.