Brose Sitech, a seating systems joint venture (JV) between Brose and Volkswagen Group has has begun worldwide operations as an independent supplier.
The partners each hold half of the JV based in Polkowice, Poland.
Around 5,000 employees work at eight sites in Poland, Germany, China and the Czech Republic.
Brose Sitech said it expected to double business volume to EUR2.8bn by 2030 while headcount was seen rising to around 7,000.
Thomas Schmall, group board member for Engineering Volkswagen and Brose Sitech supervisory board member said he saw “great potential” in the joint venture.
“We had an intensive period of planning and preparation. I am delighted that Brose Sitech is now launching on the market as an independent full-range supplier of seat systems. The merger continues to be supported by VW and at the same time opens up many new perspectives. Brose Sitech is becoming a strong, sustainable company.”
The JV claims to be “perfectly positioned to meet the challenges of the changing automotive industry” as the E-mobility and autonomous driving megatrends are changing vehicle interior needs.
“The vehicle is becoming a mobile living space, and the importance of interior and seats as a differentiating feature is increasing,” the supplier said in a statement.
“Brose Sitech has the expertise and know-how to meet current and future demands for interior comfort, safety and flexibility. With innovative solutions for changing market requirements, the JV has everything it needs to convince customers and succeed in a highly competitive market,” said Ulrich Schrickel, Brose CEO and Brose Sitech supervisory board chairman.
Brose said it would “take over industrial leadership in the joint venture and completely consolidate its operations”.
Thomas Spangler, previously operations EVP of Brose Group, chairs the Brose Sitech executive board. Top management includes CFO Tomasz Lewandowski and chief HR officer Stefanie Wangemann.
Brose Sitech intends to further expand its business with VW Group and also supply other automakers with seat systems.
In addition to existing development and production sites in eastern Europe, Germany and China, plans are under way to expand in Europe, America and Asia.
In the long term, the JV’s product line will be expanded to include innovative products for the entire vehicle interior.
Brose brimgs expertise in manual and power seat structures and their adjuster components to the JV.
The supplier combines its mechatronic products into intelligent systems using software and sensor technology.
Sitech expertise is in development, assembly and logistics of complete seat systems as well as metal structures.