Gestamp adds extension to Japan plant

Gestamp Hotstamping Japan is expanding with a new plant building on its premises in Matsusaka. This decision is part of Gestamp´s expansion in Asia, which is key for the global strategy of the company. Following the plant opening in 2018, the expansion meets increasing demand for parts from Japanese manufacturers in the automotive sector.

The relationship of the company with Japan, already long and fruitful, is deeply rooted in the country with this plant and two sales offices. One is Gestamp Tokyo, also home of the group´s R&D centre, inaugurated in 2017. In addition, the company´s subsidiary Edscha, specialised in mechanisms, has a sales office located in Yokohama. The new expansion of the Matsusaka plant is scheduled to be operational by June 2023.

As Gestamp’s first Japanese base, Gestamp Hotstamping Japan has been supplying parts to domestic and overseas automakers and will introduce a next-generation hot-stamping line that combines a large press with an environmentally friendly electric furnace that avoids burning gas to heat the blanks. This capability will enable Gestamp Hotstamping Japan to supply automotive manufacturers with one-piece, high-strength, lightweight parts, contributing to the Japanese automotive industry’s accelerating shift to EVs.

To kick-start the project, a ceremony took place at the Mayor’s office in Matsusaka City Hall. Masato Takegami (Mayor of Matsusaka city) and Toshiya Hara (general manager of Gestamp Hotstamping Japan) signed the location agreement for a new plant building expansion.

“This expansion project will not only be a simple capacity increase, but will also provide solutions for the demand of next-generation vehicles such as EVs by installing a new hot-stamping line with bigger press and high energy-efficiency furnace.”
For further information www.gestamp.com