Webasto, one of the Top 100 automotive suppliers worldwide, celebrated the opening of its new plant in Irapuato on August 20. Since 2008, the company has produced roofs in Irapuato for various automobile manufacturers with locations in Mexico and Brazil. Here, Webasto also produces components for its own plants in the USA. Due to increased demand in recent years, the company has invested 28 million USD in building a new, considerably larger location. At the opening ceremony, Webasto US CEO and President André Schoenekaes stated, "Webasto is proud of our continued growth and history in Mexico. The opening of our new Irapuato facility is an investment into our company's future, an investment in the people of Irapuato and the state of Guanajuato. Not only will this expansion strengthen our relationship with Mexico, but it will help us to better collaborate with customers. Their goals become our goals and together we achieve success."
Construction work on the new site in Irapuato began in March 2018 and was completed almost 15 months later in July 2019. At 35,000 square meters, the new location is approximately three times larger than the previous one. The number of employees is expected to rise from around 460, by about a quarter to 580 within the next months. In addition to the expanded production capacities for sunroofs and panoramic roofs, the new building also offers space to drive forward region-specific developments for customers.
At the opening of the new location Chairman of the Management Board, Webasto SE, Dr. Holger Engelmann, André Schoenekaes and Plant Manager Jesus Aleman welcomed the Sub Secretary of Investments of the Sustainable Economic Development, Alejandro Hernandez Fonsesca, Irapuato Mayor Ricardo Ortiz Gutierrez, Deputy Mayor of Irapuato Luis Ernesto Ayala Martinez and German Honorary Consul Monika Von Allwörden de Orozco. In addition, all employees of the site were invited to the event.
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