Stant expands its plant in San Miguel de Allende

The US-based automaker, Stant, began the expansion of its production plant located in the Polígono Empresarial de San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato.

Robert Mallory, Stant's vice president of Global Operations, announced that this year the decision was made to move one of its most important operations - such as Pine Bluff, Arkansas - to its San Miguel de Allende plant. 

"This transition will mean the expansion of our operations by approximately 100,000 square feet, and 200 associates will be added during the next few months," he said.

The plant in San Miguel will become the largest and most important of the Stant group, since by 2021 they estimate to reach 80 million dollars.

"Our vision is to continue growing with our clients and our operations, and what better place than in the heart of Mexico" he added.

Stant began its history in Connersville, Indiana, in 1898, as a manufacturer of piano wire tips under the name Stant Machine Company. Currently, it is a global manufacturer of solutions for segments such as automotive and industrial.

Their global manufacturing facilities, sales offices and engineering services position them to deliver tailored solutions in the areas of thermal and fuel management.

The Mexico plant began operations in 2015, and its main clients include: Ford, General Motors, FCA, Detroit Diese, Hyundai, Mazda, Honda, Mercedes Benz, Jaguar, Boeing, Cummins, among many others.

DESIGN AND OWN MANUFACTURING

Francisco Carreón, general manager of Stant, said that the Guanajuato plant is consolidated with this new investment, and that is how a complete factory is integrated, facing the challenges experienced by the industry.

He explained that 28 production lines will be transferred, which - he considered - entails a strong focus on logistics, preparation and planning to be able to make a transparent transfer that does not affect any of the clients.

“This implies more preparation for us and a strengthening of the industry in Guanajuato and in Mexico; We can say that our performance throughout these five years has been a clear example of which direction we are going ”, he commented.

As 95% of the products are designed by Stant globally, this plant will have  some production lines for the design of components that, in turn, will be manufactured in these facilities.

He explained that some of these production lines are in the process of being transferred to a new warehouse next to the main plant.

This space will serve as a laboratory where specific devices and elements for car thermostats will be designed.

"This project is part of the expansion of the company, we have already begun to transfer lines and some are already in operation, in addition to consolidating others that were starting and moving part of our warehouse to a new warehouse," added Carreón.

In addition, Stant is leaving an additional 60,000 square feet of space for other investments planned for the next few years, where it is intended to incorporate new products for newly attracted customers.

In his speech, Diego Sinhue Rodríguez Vallejo, governor of the state of Guanajuato, stated that this investment is a sign of confidence on the part of the industry in the region.

He recalled that recently the second phase of the San Miguel de Allende Industrial Park was inaugurated, which means that there is interest in investing in this municipality; As he asserted that various studies have been carried out in Guanajuato by foreign companies seeking options to settle, being San Miguel de Allende one of them.

“We have a great advantage that is the preparation of the workforce and that in San Miguel de Allende the companies are committed to it, by contributing to the training of human talent, this gives the municipality a plus and allows investments to arrive and they are consolidated as is the case of Stant ”, he said.

Luis Alberto Villarreal, mayor of San Miguel de Allende, acknowledged that, "if something is missing from the global economy and our country, it is this type of investment that creates jobs."

Finally, he reported that it represents the generation of 500 jobs over the next five years and an investment of 15.2 million dollars.