Key Safety Systems has begun in-house die casting operations at its new factory in Valle Hermoso, Mexico, allowing the Sterling Heights-based company to manufacture most of major steering wheel sub-components in the new plant.
The facility will initially focus on manufacturing aluminum and magnesium steering wheel armatures, or the inner most metal framework of a steering wheel. The majority of the armatures will be consumed in an adjacent KSS factory on the Valle Hermoso campus, which houses more than 400,000 square feet of operational space.
“This latest vertical integration investment exemplifies our continuing commitment to the KSS Four Pillar business strategy, one of which is having leading quality and technology, while another is being the best cost safety restraint supplier,” says Jim Scarpa, senior vice president of operations. He adds the new factory will significantly improve logistic costs, overhead utilization, quality, and working capital while adding value to its products.
New equipment will also allow the company to re-melt magnesium on site, which provides further cost, logistics, and quality benefits.
KSS products are featured in more than 300 vehicle models produced by more than 60 customers worldwide.
