Pilkington Automotive to Expand Windshield Production Capacity in Brazil
The NSG Group announces plans for a significant expansion of its Automotive glazing capacity in Brazil, with the construction of an additional windshield production line adjacent to its existing facilities at Cacapava, near Sao Paulo.
The new line will be operated by the Group's global automotive glazing business, Pilkington Automotive.
The total investment will be around Euro 43 million, with the new production unit adding capacity of over 1 million windshields per year. The line is expected to be commissioned in early 2010, with the project generating approximately 120 new jobs in the region.
The Automotive market in Brazil has grown rapidly over the past three years and local vehicle production is forecast to rise to around 5.3 million vehicles a year by 2015.
Pat Zito, President of the NSG Group's Automotive business said “Brazil is an important and growing market for Pilkington Automotive and this investment will ensure that we are well positioned to support our customers locally. The investment represents a further step in the NSG Group's preparations for Phase 2 of our three-phase strategy, with strategic investments in key emerging markets”.