Lear to open automotive seat cover plant in Gostivar, Macedonia

Lear Corporation, the global supplier of automotive seating and electrical distribution systems, has announced plans to open a new automotive plant to produce seat covers in Gostivar, Macedonia, later this year.  

Serving all major European automotive manufacturers, Lear's new facility will initially employ approximately 300 people, with an emphasis on leather and fabric cutting and sewing capability.  Further expansion is expected.

"With Lear's continued success in vertically integrated automotive seating systems and components, we are pleased to begin operations at an interim site in Macedonia and plan new plant construction by mid-2016 in the area," said Jeneanne Hanley, Lear's vice-president for Global Trim and Craftsmanship. "We appreciate the cooperation of all involved as Lear launches its first facility in Macedonia."

With the completion in January 2015 of the acquisition of Eagle Ottawa, Lear Corporation is the world's leading supplier of premium automotive leather, with enhanced global seating capabilities in the areas of craftsmanship, design options and overall value.

"In line with our position as the world leader in automotive luxury and performance seating," said Raffael Gagliardi, Lear's vice-president of European Seat Fabric Operations, "we welcome the opportunity in adding this new plant to deliver dedicated quality and service every day for our customers."  

Lear Corporation (NYSE: LEA) is one of the world's leading suppliers of automotive seating and electrical distribution systems. Lear serves every major automaker in the world, and Lear content can be found on more than 300 vehicle nameplates. Lear's world-class products are designed, engineered and manufactured by a diverse team of approximately 132,000 employees located in 34 countries, including India.

Lear Automotive India caters to Ford India, Mahindra & Mahindra, GM India (with which it started its India innings) Volkswagen India, Nissan Motor India, Hyundai Motor India and Tata Motors. It has plants all the way up north in Haridwar (catering to the Mahindra Bolero) down to Halol (GM India), Nashik (for the Scorpio and Xylo)  and in Chennai (Nissan and Ford).