Jul 29 2013
ThyssenKrupp has today begun building a new production facility for assembled camshafts at its Chemnitz plant. Sven Morlok, Saxony's State Minister for Economic Affairs, Labor and Transport, and Petra Wesseler, the Mayoress of Chemnitz responsible for urban development and construction, took part in the groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of construction.
The new facility is being built at Presta Camshafts' Chemnitz production plant. In the coming months, a new production shop fitted with state-of-the-art machinery and equipment is to be built on an area directly adjacent to the existing production buildings. Construction work is scheduled for completion by the end of the year.
Saxony's Minister for Economic Affairs Sven Morlok stressed that the auto industry continues to be a key driver of growth in the state. "This site expansion shows that Saxony, with its long tradition of car production, remains an attractive location for industrial companies. As the cradle of the auto industry, Saxony offers the advantage of outstanding local conditions and a business-friendly climate. Our aim is not only to attract new companies to Saxony but to help businesses already located here expand. ThyssenKrupp is a good example," he said.
"Against the general market trend we have succeeded in winning new customers and securing order growth. The production plant expansion will allow us to further increase our output. This will create new jobs and increase the capacity for value creation in Chemnitz and the region," said Frank Riemer-Keller, managing director of ThyssenKrupp Presta Chemnitz.
ThyssenKrupp has been producing camshafts in Chemnitz since 2007. While the focus was initially on the production of assembled camshafts for car engines, today the site with its 200-strong workforce has grown into a center of excellence for the manufacture of assembled truck camshafts. Camshafts are an essential component of an internal combustion engine. They are responsible for the intake of air for the combustion process and evacuation of exhaust gases from the engine block. Altogether some 1,800 ThyssenKrupp employees at six production sites across the world in Germany, Liechtenstein, China and the USA turn out over 25 million camshafts a year. Two further plants in China and Brazil are currently under construction.
ThyssenKrupp is the world market leader in assembled camshafts and is continuously optimizing this established technology in line with the latest findings and requirements. Compared with conventional one-piece camshafts, assembled camshafts made from different materials are lighter and stronger. "Offering weight savings of 40 percent compared with a conventional camshaft, alongside numerous other advantages, we meet our customers' demand for lightweight components and the associated reduction in fuel consumption," said Riemer-Keller. In the future the company plans to further expand its deliveries to renowned car and truck manufacturers, making a significant contribution to a sustainable reduction in CO2 emissions.
With around 27,700 employees, the companies of the Components Technology business area manufacture high-quality components and hold leading positions on the world’s markets with their products. The business area achieved sales of seven billion euros in the 2011/2012 fiscal year. Components Technology supplies a range of high-tech components for general engineering, construction equipment and wind turbines. In the auto sector its activities are focused on crankshafts, camshafts, steering systems, dampers, springs, stabilizers and the assembly of axle modules.