Construction to begin on new Maxion Wheels plant in India

On 19 February 2018, Maxion Wheels will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for its new light vehicle aluminium wheel plant in India. Preparations for the facility have already commenced with the acquisition of a plant site in Pune (Maharashtra state) as well as the formation of a new legal entity, Maxion Wheels Aluminum India Private Limited. This company came into being on 8 January.

Maxion Wheels will initially erect a 25,000 square metre manufacturing plant in Pune. The facility is expected to begin production in the third quarter of 2019 and will be capable of making two million wheels a year. The land acquired also includes space for further expansion, with growth in capacity to four million wheels per annum planned for the coming years.

“Maxion Wheels is committed to serving its customers’ growing demand for light vehicle aluminum wheels, especially in India where market growth is outpacing available capacity,” said Pieter Klinkers, chief executive officer of Maxion Wheels. “We’ve been in India for more than 20 years, providing original equipment manufacturers with light and commercial vehicle steel wheels. We’re pleased to satisfy our global customers’ growing request that we bring our recognised global aluminum wheel expertise to India, and we are excited about the opportunity our new plant will afford us to strengthen our global footprint and strategically expand our presence in the region.”

The new wholly-owned operation, expected to initially bring more than 500 new jobs to the area, will produce low pressure die cast aluminum wheels with a high-end wheel finish.