German components supplier Sika is opening a manufacturing plant in Querétaro, Mexico to supply acoustic treatments and body structural products to carmakers operating in the country. The new factory includes an integrated logistics centre and will also house the Mexican subsidiary of Faist ChemTec, which makes sound abatement and weight reduction parts and which Sika acquired at the beginning of 2018.

Sika’s adhesives, reinforcer systems, and acoustic treatments are used by a wide range of OEMs for acoustic sealing and damping applications to reduce airborne and structure borne noise levels in vehicles, and to structurally reinforce vehicle body shells and components for enhanced crash durability.

“Our location in Querétaro is strategically located in the middle of the customer network we support in Mexico,” said Thomas Hasler, head industry at Sika. “This means we are close to the many vehicle and component manufacturing facilities already established in Mexico, as well as the new plants coming on line. As the market grows, so do we, continually adding value and support for our customers. The site is also home to one of our large construction materials plants, which gives the added advantage of a shared infrastructure and logistics network.”

Logistics and supply chain support for the future of automotive manufacturing in Mexico will be central to discussions at the next Automotive Logistics Mexico conference, which takes place between January 29-31, 2019