TrelleborgVibracoustic inaugurated a new plant in Rayong, Thailand last November 4, 2015. The site produces engine mounts, chassis mounts, and body mounts for local customers such as Ford, GM, Nissan, and Volvo.
“With our new production site in Rayong, TrelleborgVibracoustic is strengthening its global footprint in one of the world’s most important automobile growth markets” explains Jim Law, member of the management board of TrelleborgVibracoustic, in his speech at the opening ceremony. Guest from customers, suppliers, and local authorities took a look inside the world of vibration control technology during a plant tour.
“Many OEMs welcome our presence in Thailand,” says Dr. Matthias Sckuhr regional president for China and Asia/Pacific at TrelleborgVibracoustic. “By setting up operations in Thailand, we strive to expand our customer base with focus on Japanese OEMs.” After all, due to import tariffs, in particular, car manufacturers in Thailand want to purchase more locally manufactured parts. An important point is also the rapid availability of components. “With a local supplier network, our customers can reduce their storage capacity and cut costs in terms of logistics.” says Sckuhr.
The new facility is located in the Hemaraj Eastern Seaboard Industrial Estate close to Ford, GM, Suzuki and other OEMs. Starting with 30 employees, it is planned that until 2018 a workforce of around 200 will produce chassis mounts, engine mounts, and dampers for local customers and export. The site is the company’s 39th in the world and represents the first operation of a western supplier for automotive anti-vibration solutions in Thailand. By improved direct links to locally producing manufacturers, TrelleborgVibracoustic strives to achieve further growth in that region.
Thailand is one of the 15 largest automobile producers in the world and has the ambitious goal of becoming the automotive center of the ASEAN alliance, which currently covers ten countries in South East Asia. By 2020, production in Thailand is expected to increase to five million vehicles per year.