Toyoda Gosei to expand auto parts plant

Kiyosu, Japan – Toyoda Gosei Co. Ltd. is investing around 7 billion yen (50 million euros) to expand its Seto plant, located near its main customer Toyota in Japan.

The project aims to enhance Toyoda Gosei’s competitiveness through more efficient manufacturing of interior and exterior products, the company announced on April 22.

Scheduled for December 2023, the upgrade will include optimizing the production layout and introducing large molding machines and “highly efficient” paint booths.

Other features will include the use of collaborative robots, automated inspection machines, automated product transporters, and IoT systems that consolidate production line management.

Planned improvements to the Seto site also include “further reductions” in CO2 emissions, to be achieved through the electrification of the facilities.

The expansion will bring the area of ​​the site to 27,000 m2, against 12,000 m2 currently.

The auto industry, Toyoda Gosei noted, is moving towards manufacturing different types of vehicles simultaneously, including hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and battery electric vehicles (BEVs).

For large painted products, such as front grilles and rear door trim, “this requires higher functionality with a simple appearance [and more] variations to meet design needs,” the company explained.