thyssenkrupp Materials de México recently opened a new service centre in San Luis Potosí. This centre has a strong focus on sustainability and electromobility in the automotive industry. With an investment of 34 million euros, around 65 new jobs will be created. The opening marks a milestone in the total investment of 100 million euros in North America within 15 months.
The new location is part of thyssenkrupp Materials Services' growth strategy in North America - a region in which the company has invested around 100 million euros over the past two years. The site in San Luis Potosí complements three other service centres in the cities of Saltillo, Puebla and Silao. The latter has a steel and aluminium cutting plant and will work together with the new site, as it is only 170 kilometres away. This makes them the only two plants in the country to offer this service.
thyssenkrupp Materials de México specialises in the supply of materials and related services for production in the North American market. With the opening of the new location, the company is consolidating its market position in North America.
“The needs and requirements of the industry are changing rapidly”, said Martin Stillger, CEO of thyssenkrupp Materials Services, at the opening of the new site in San Luis Potosí. “In the context of the major transformation topics of electromobility, sustainability and supply chain resilience, Mexico is a clear growth market for us. We can support customers here with our 'Materials as a Service' strategy in precisely these key areas.”
Specialised services for lightweight construction in the automotive industry
The four thyssenkrupp Materials de México service centres are strategically located in the immediate vicinity of numerous automotive manufacturers (OEMs) and various industrial suppliers. The short delivery routes and direct connection to the railway line at the San Luis Potosí site enable more profitable and sustainable operations and just-in-time deliveries. The new site and the service centre in Silao are operated jointly due to their close proximity.
One advantage of the new service centre is the Schuler cutting line, which enables the cutting of aluminium and high-strength steel blanks for the automotive industry. Due to its light weight and low density, aluminium contributes to the reduction of pollutant emissions and plays a decisive role in the development of the automotive sector.
In recent years, the automotive industry has responded to the increasing demand triggered by the rapid transition to electromobility and the introduction of stricter emission standards by the US government. This country is the largest sales market for Mexican suppliers (approx. 80 % of sales). The commissioning of the new plant in San Luis Potosí will help to meet this demand.
Olaf Voss, CEO of thyssenkrupp Materials de México, emphasised the support and cooperation: “With the opening of the plant, we can further expand our unique position in this processing service in the Mexican market. We appreciate the good collaboration with the Secretariat of Economic Development of San Luis Potosí on this important project.” The site will start operations on 15 February 2024.
