Apr 4 2005
Last Friday, Hydro inaugurated its new production line for complex V-Diesel engine blocks in Dillingen, Germany. Participating in the opening ceremony were Hydro's President and CEO, Eivind Reiten, and finance minister of the German state of Saarland, Dr. Hanspeter Georgi.
Based on a large-scale order by DaimlerChrysler, a total of EUR 76 million has been invested in Hydro Aluminium Alucast. Production capacity at the Dillingen advanced engine block plant has therefore been increased to 2 million cast parts per year, with the creation of up to 260 new jobs. Within three years, Alucast will employ a workforce of up to 800.
At the opening, Eivind Reiten praised the commitment of the staff and outstanding co-operation with the federal state government and authorities.
“This development ultimately demonstrates Hydro’s competitiveness in the leading German automotive industry and our commitment to invest in this industry and to develop our position,” he said.
Dieter J. Braun, President of Hydro Aluminium automotive, highlighted the co-operation in Germany of two globally leading companies:
“Daimler built the first ever diesel engine, we manufactured the first diesel engine block from aluminium – and now we are jointly establishing aluminium as a material of choice in the premier league of engine construction.”
Dr. Hanspeter Georgi, finance and employment minister, praised Hydro's investment as a clear commitment to the automotive industry in Saarland:
“Today's official opening strengthens the Saarland automotive cluster. Saarland is the third largest supplier center in Germany. The Saarland federal state government is focusing on the “future automotive cluster” in the context of its innovation strategy, since in the automotive industry in particular, innovation is what really counts on a daily basis.”
http://www.hydro.com