Koito Europe Ltd., part of Tokyo-based automotive supplier Koito Ltd., is set to complete the second phase of a 12 million ($19 million) expansion in England by adding eight new injection molding machines. Koito Europe molds headlight parts in a Droitwich, England, plant it bought from Britax International plc in 1997.
The newest expansion project includes three 460-ton Demag presses and two 460-ton Krauss-Maffeis, plus 1,100-ton and 1,400-ton models.
The plant also is getting into four-color molding with a new Husky REW 900 multimaterial injection press. The machine is Koito Europe's third Husky press.
The firm plans to add four or five more presses, including 440-and 1,100-ton units, within the next 12 months, said manufacturing director Neil Williams.
The company has annual sales of about 30 million ($47 million), but Williams said: "This should rise in the next five to 10 years to around 100 million ($157 million)."
The Tier 1 automotive supplier operates about 40 injection presses. The plant is Koito's European production center and serves Honda, BMW Rover, Mazda, Opel and General Motors.
Koito's expansion project also includes paint spraying and metalizing units. The company will conclude the project this month.
Among projects keeping the company busy is a contract to supply parts early next year for the new Honda Civic.