Kamtek, a subsidiary of Magna International, has said its new aluminum casting facility in Birmingham, Alabama, U.S., could be able to start production this fall.
The $80 million facility will be 148,000 sq. ft.
“We have to prove ourselves,” said John Hackett, general manager, Kamtek. “I know what we’re capable of at this plant, but our customers know this is a new process and we’re going to have to prove we can do it for them. I know we will.”
According to reports, eight employees have spent time in Germany receiving training on high-pressure aluminum casting.
The expansion project will add 354 jobs to its current Alabama workforce of more than 900.
When the announcement was made last year, Hackett said the new aluminum casting facility and the expansion of the company’s existing plant “demonstrates our ongoing commitment to our customers,” which include Mercedes, Volkswagen and other automakers.
“We are excited to continue our partnership with the local government in creating jobs and positioning ourselves for future business,” Hackett said at the announcement.