Thanks to strong demand for its innovative suspension kits, KW automotive is set to expands its headquarters in Fichtenberg, Germany. Between 2018 to 2020, the company invested 40 million euros in the industrial park. By the end of 2023, KW automotive will have invested eight million in buildings and seven million in equipment and machinery in Fichtenberg.
Almost 95 percent of manufacturing for the various suspension applications of the KW and ST brands, as well for customers from the automotive and accessories industry is completed in-house. The manufacturing area will have an additional 3,000 square meters. The new company building will also include areas for production control and development as well as a training center for the suspension manufacturer’s national and internationally approved dealers. In addition, 1,800 square meters will be reserved for 60 modern offices. The state-of-the-art machinery with its CNC milling and machining centers will be extended to include laser welding and laser cutting systems. The flexible production structure at KW will be further expanded to manufacture all suspension products in a shorter time period.
One focus in the new production hall will be the order-specific production of electromagnetic proportional valves. Through this vertical expansion of production, KW automotive will be even more independent of external suppliers and will enhance the synergy between the companies belonging to the KW automotive group. By doing so, KW maintains more control of its core competencies in adaptive damper control systems.
KW automotive customers include automotive enthusiasts, small-series manufacturers and, for selected vehicle models of the automotive industry. For example, KW equipped the Mercedes-Maybach G 650 Landaulet, Rimac Nevera and other models with its technology. The mid-size suspension manufacturer works closely with DLR (German Aerospace Center) on artificial intelligence for suspension control systems.
Together with the Institute for Digitalization and Electric Drives (IDA) of Heilbronn University (HHN) at the Künzelsau campus, KW automotive is actively developing new technologies for the automotive industry and the independent aftermarket. More at www.kwsuspensions.net