ZKW Expands Presence in the NAFTA Region

ZKW Expands Presence in the NAFTA Region

The ZKW Group, a premium lighting systems and electronics specialist, has developed into a key partner for the automotive industry in the “North American Free Trade Agreement” (NAFTA) region. ZKW has eight locations worldwide, two of which (Troy, Michigan, USA and Silao, Mexico) are located in the NAFTA region. ZKW is running close to full capacity thanks to strong growth and has decided to expand its plant in Mexico.

Wieselburg, October 23, 2017. Rick Snyder, Governor of the state of Michigan - where ZKW’s US site is located - has shown great interest in the ZKW Group. He learned about ZKW’s innovative products at the interactive ZKW exhibition booth at the International Motor Show (IAA 2017). ZKW's branch in Troy, Michigan, USA, currently has 13 employees and serves as direct contact for automotive producers in Detroit looking for premium front lighting systems. “Our US location primarily handles development and sales in America,” says Oliver Schubert, CEO of the ZKW Group.

ZKW Location in Mexico Expands

In 2014, a plant was opened in Silao in the Mexican state of Guanajuato to manage production of main headlights and fog lamps. The location also includes an R&D department. Since ZKW Mexico will soon be reaching the limits of its capacity, the company plans to expand the plant in 2018 and complete the project by early 2019. It will also increase the number of employees. ZKW offers a trainee program to train its technicians appropriately and get them interested in taking a position at ZKW. The state of Guanajuato, several universities, as well as the Silao and Wieselburg ZKW locations, are working together closely in this program. Participants in the international trainee program receive training for three months in Silao, then three months in Wieselburg, receiving at least a one-year work contract in Mexico when the program is over.

Clients and the USA Want Local Contact Partners

Our locations in the USA and Mexico handle NAFTA regional markets. For clients in these regions, especially in the USA, it’s important to be able to turn to a direct, local contact partner. ZKW plays an important role not only to our clients but to the state of Michigan itself, as Governor Snyder confirms: “We’re pleased to have them as part of our Michigan auto team and of the role they are playing in making Michigan a global leader in the industry.” With two locations in the NAFTA region, ZKW is creating optimal conditions that will allow it to remain one of the world's leading specialists in lighting and electronic technology.