International Automotive Components (IAC) Group today celebrated the opening of its newest manufacturing facility, the company's ninth facility in China, in the northeast city of Shenyang. Located in the Shenbei New District, the new facility represents a key milestone in IAC's continued growth in China, where it began operations just over five years ago in Shanghai. IAC's Shenyang facility is part of IAC Songjiang, a joint venture between IAC and Shanghai Car Carpet Plant (SCCP).
IAC's rapid expansion in the Asia-Pacific region has been a priority as the company continues to support its growing global customer base. The new operation marks the company's first manufacturing location in Shenyang, and its second in north China, where the company established a facility in Beijing in 2010. The new Shenyang plant was established by IAC to further broaden its footprint in the growing northern automotive center of Liaoning.
The new facility, which supplies Shanghai General Motors' nearby Norsom facility with just-in-time delivery of manufactured carpet for the Chevrolet Cruze and Buick GL8, employs more than 100 associates in a variety of positions. The plant employs world-class manufacturing processes consistent with IAC manufacturing and assembly facilities around the world. By design, the facility has been constructed with incremental floor space capacity to support future manufacturing activities.
Officials from Shanghai General Motors, suppliers and industry representatives, joined IAC employees and executives for the dedication ceremony.
"IAC is committed to supporting our customers with a local presence as they continue to expand here in the world's largest automotive market," said Jim Kamsickas, President and Chief Executive Officer of IAC Group. "The Shenyang facility and talented workforce is an important addition to our team. We look forward to strengthening our key customer relationships and supporting business opportunities as the auto industry continues to expand in China."
IAC's growth in the Asia-Pacific region has expanded year-over-year to include 14 manufacturing locations (including the new Shenyang plant) as well as five design and technical facilities and joint ventures in China, Malaysia and Thailand, serving a broad customer base that includes the multinational and domestic OEMs around the world.