- New facility adds to existing operation in Birmingham, Ala.
- Aluminum structural castings help reduce vehicle weight and complexity
- The 150,000-square-foot expansion is expected to create more than 100 jobs
AURORA, ON, Sept. 8, 2017 /PRNewswire/ - Magna is expanding
operations to add aluminum casting capabilities at its Kamtek facility in Birmingham, Alabama,
to continue helping automakers address global demand for decreased carbon dioxide emissions and improved fuel economy through
vehicle lightweighting. Governor Kay Ivey was in attendance to celebrate the expansion with Magna
executives and employees.
Magna invested approximately $60 million to add the 150,000-square-foot facility. At full
capacity, the expansion has the potential to generate more than 100 jobs.
The new facility will feature a manufacturing process – high-pressure aluminum casting – that further enables Magna to provide
vehicle lightweighting and part-reduction solutions for customers. The new capabilities improve upon traditional steel
multi-piece welded assemblies, which can take upwards of 12 stampings to produce one structural component. High-pressure aluminum
casting allows production of full structures in one piece, reducing vehicle mass without compromising performance, structural
integrity or safety.
"We remain focused on lightweighting to help improve fuel economy while decreasing vehicle emissions over time," said
John Farrell, president of Cosma International, Magna's body and chassis operating unit. "The
Kamtek expansion demonstrates our dedication to meeting these challenges head-on through leading-edge manufacturing processes
that streamline vehicle weight reduction for our customers."
The Kamtek facility employs approximately 850 people and produces structural components for various customers including
Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen and Nissan. The new facility will initially produce lightweight aluminum front shock towers for a major
global automaker, with additional customers and programs expected in the future.
ABOUT MAGNA
We are a leading global automotive supplier with 327 manufacturing operations and 100 product development, engineering and sales
centres in 29 countries. We have over 161,000 employees focused on delivering superior value to our customers through innovative
products and processes, and world class manufacturing. We have complete vehicle engineering and contract manufacturing expertise,
as well as product capabilities which include body, chassis, exterior, seating, powertrain, active driver assistance, vision,
closure and roof systems and have electronic and software capabilities across many of these areas. Our common shares trade on the
Toronto Stock Exchange (MG) and the New York Stock Exchange (MGA). For further information about Magna, visit our website at
www.magna.com .
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SOURCE Magna International Inc.