Chassix (Southfield, Michigan) has announced plans to establish a greenfield plant in Ostrava, Czech Republic. The facility, which will cast aluminum chassis and powertrain components for passenger cars, will be operational in early 2018 and accounts for an investment of about $50 million. The project represents an expansion of Chassix's manufacturing footprint into Eastern Europe.
The Chassix Ostrava facility will cover 140,000 sq. ft. and be the company's first casting facility, and third plant in Europe. Chassix Ostrava is expected to generate approximately 350 skilled jobs in the region.
Although initially built to provide aluminum castings, the plant has been designed to support future growth in the lightweighting automotive market, as many international OEMs are located near Chassix Ostrava.
"Chassix Ostrava is aligned with Chassix's global strategy of partnering with our customers to provide tailor-made engineering and manufacturing solutions for safety-critical chassis and powertrain components where our customers need us most," said Doug DelGrosso, CEO, Chassix.
"Working in close cooperation with City of Ostrava and our strategic partners on site, we anticipate flawless completion of the foundry and expect to attract a talented, innovative and collaborative workforce," said Sergi Barbero, vice president, managing director, Europe, Chassix.