OREANDA-NEWS. Hitachi Automotive Systems Americas, Inc., one of the Hitachi Automotive Systems' group companies and regional headquarters of the company for the Americas, today announced that it has completed construction of a third production facility at their Monroe, GA operations. The new facility, along with new equipment for the new and existing facilities, represents an investment of an expected USD 80 million by the company.

As a key part of its global business strategy, Hitachi Automotive Systems is moving to respond to growing demand in the important North American market by expanding production capacity in the Americas, including Mexico.

The Monroe facility is situated on 70 acres and currently has two production facilities with a combined manufacturing floor area of 230,000 sq. ft. The new third building will have a manufacturing floor area of 290,000 sq. ft. With more than twice its previous manufacturing floor area, the Monroe plant will continue to produce valve timing controls and propeller shafts at the existing facilities. Production at the new facility is expected to begin in 2016 and will include new products such as electric power steering systems, variable displacement pumps, and others.

The expansion will add up to 250 new jobs by March 2017. The Monroe facility currently has over 350 employees.

Hitachi Automotive Systems is enhancing operational effectiveness in four key overseas regions, most notably the Americas, with special focus on further business expansion under regional strategies giving priority to local production for local consumption.