TRW Automotive has announced plans to expand its electrically powered steering systems facilities in Poland, in support of growing demand from a range of vehicle manufacturers.
Approximately 9,000 square meters of additional manufacturing space will be established in Bielsko Biala close to the existing site in Czechowice-Dziedzice. Production will start in the first quarter of 2012. Initially, 250 new jobs will be created.
"We have enjoyed growing demand for TRW's column and belt drive electrically powered steering (EPS) systems,” said Michael Degen, vice president operations for TRW's european steering operations. “We are expanding production to meet current and future demands for this product. By 2015, we estimate that up to 80 per cent of new vehicles will be equipped with pure electric steering.”
TRW claims its electric steering can deliver fuel economy improvements of up to 4 per cent compared to standard hydraulic powered steering systems.
TRW is Poland's largest tier one automotive supplier employer, with four other plants in Czestochowa, Gliwice and Pruszkow and more than 6,000 employees in total.
“We have an excellent workforce in Czechowice and this expansion represents our confidence in operations there,” concluded Degen. “We have proven that we are able to cost effectively produce world class products here."
Headquartered in Livonia, Michigan, USA, TRW Automotive operates in 26 countries and employs over 60,000 people worldwide.
