GKN Driveline is expanding its European eDrive production facility in Bruneck, Italy to satisfy the increasing demand for electric and hybrid vehicle programmes from new and existing OEM clients.
GKN Driveline said it will increase its current 11,000sqm floor space by over 60 per cent to create an 18,000sqm facility dedicated predominantly to eDrive production.
To facilitate the expansion, GKN will relocate constant velocity joint (CVJ) manufacturing from Bruneck to alternative Driveline facilities within Europe, while its Off Highway business will move to a new facility in Welsberg-Taisten, Italy.
Between 70 and 80 employees who currently work on CVJ production will move into eDrive manufacturing. The project will be complete by 2019, which will result in Bruneck being predominantly focused on eDrive production, with 10 eDrive programmes expected to be delivered from the site.
The Bruneck site’s manufacturing portfolio includes the PACE Award-winning coaxial eAxle, featured on a range of Volvo plug-in hybrids, the world’s first two-speed eAxle, equipped on the BMW i8 sports car, and all-wheel drive products such as GKN’s Electronic Torque Management systems.
Peter Moelgg, GKN Driveline All-wheel and eDrive CEO, said: “Bruneck has already established itself as a centre of excellence for the production of leading electric driveline systems. This major expansion will enable eDrive production to move up a gear, to deliver the growing number of programmes won by GKN for next-generation hybrid and electric vehicles.”
GKN will relocate CVJ manufacturing from Bruneck to alternative Driveline facilities within Europe, while its Off Highway business will move to a new facility in Welsberg-Taisten, Italy.