Poland is “at the heart of GKN’s global manufacturing strategy”

GKN plc, the UK’s largest Tier 1 automotive supplier, has formally opened a new automotive precision forging plant in Olesnica, Poland, the latest result of a €75 million investment programme by GKN in Poland.

GKN Chief Executive Kevin Smith said at the event attended by the entire GKN board: “We have a young and highly motivated team in Poland and they have achieved remarkable success. They have transformed our business in Olesnica from a purely domestic supplier to a truly European operation supplying components to eleven customers in nine countries.

“Today our plant in Olesnica is at the very heart of our global manufacturing strategy.

“We intend to use this new technology to develop Olesnica which is rapidly becoming one of our most important plants in Continental Europe. Our experience in Poland has been a happy one and confirms the competitive advantages which are claimed for this country such as a central position within the European mainland and skilled, dedicated people.”

In 1996 GKN acquired the driveline manufacturing operation of Fiat located in Twardogora and within a year had started the construction of a new plant in Olesnica which was formally opened in 1999. In 2002 GKN employed 300 people in Olesnica. Next year the workforce will number almost 500. Since 2002 sales from Olesnica have increased by 300% and its customers now include Fiat, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Opel, Suzuki, Toyota, Volvo and Volkswagen.

(Source: Industry news)