Plymouth, Michigan – A year after opening the plant, Freudenberg-NOK Sealing Technologies expects to quadruple production at its Querétaro, Mexico, plant within the next few years by adding a new portfolio, consisting of engine, transmission and driveline oil seals.
The Querétaro facility supplies to several Japanese engine customers as well as major automakers, for which Freudenberg-NOK provides front wheel drive transmission parts. Although production of the new business line only began in 2014, sales are expected to grow rapidly, along with overall Mexican auto production. By the end of 2015, industry sources estimate that Mexico will pass Japan and Canada to become the top source of imported cars by the U.S.
“We’ve seen increased requests for production in Mexico, and our company is expanding production to meet those requests,” says Gary VanWambeke, general manager, Global Transmission and Driveline Lead Center, Freudenberg-NOK. “Just six months after beginning the process to install the necessary machinery to produce oil seals, we had 58 pieces of equipment running and 2.4 million parts delivered.”
In addition to having favorable business results with top automakers, the plant has had more successes of its own. During the past year that the facility has operated, it has been free from accidents and customer complaints, all while achieving a perfect on-time-delivery score. A large part of the success can be attributed to the facility’s associates who adapted well to change.
“Our team is passionate and proud of the work we do, which is reflected in a stable, exemplary performance and a very quick turnaround from the time of an order to its delivery,” says Luis Pardo, the plant’s manager. “The morale and camaraderie is incredible, and we’ve introduced several new concepts to keep that spirit, as well as a motto of ‘one company, one team’.”
By integrating into the Mexican industry, Freudenberg-NOK’s Querétaro location has become one of the company’s fastest growing facilities. Numbers are expected to continue growing as Mexico increases its exporting trend and as automakers continue moving production to the country.
Source: Freudenberg-NOK