PIA Automation Launches Major Order from China

Published on Aug 22, 2018

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PIA has been awarded an order to manufacture a transmission production line for the Chinese market from one of the largest automotive suppliers in the world.

PIA Automation Austria is one of the market leaders in Europe and North America when it comes to the production of powertrain component manufacturing equipment. As part of the newly founded PIA Group for the past year, this approximately 400-strong company is a global powertrain control center. Their Styrian location develops and produces highly innovative assembly and test systems for projects in the powertrain, e-mobility and automotive engineering sectors. Implementing hybrid drive systems, customers include, BMW, Daimler, Magna, VW as well as ZF.

Motors of various designs and different gear types have high-end components and demand high-end production solutions. In particular, the demand for intelligent and cost-effective production systems is becoming more and more robust. Solutions lie in modular production systems with precision metrology for which PIA Austria has built up a great deal of know how with years of proven technology success. One of the world's largest Tier 1 automotive suppliers relies on this Styrian expertise. The PIA-commissioned Powertrain Production System will produce rear-axle transmissions for the Chinese automotive market in Shenyang (China).

Further, synergies between Europe and China create a win-win situation for PIA Automation

The automation business, especially within the automotive industry, is a global growth market and offers great opportunities for the PIA Group within Europe, North America and above all in China. China is the largest global automotive market with roughly 30% of global automotive production taking place there. “Through our global group structure and our Ningbo office we have ideal access to the Chinese market. Our unique constellation makes this large-scale order possible“ reports managing director Norbert Kahr, who is responsible for sales at the Grambach site. This project is now the starting point for the encompassment of the Chinese market.

The prerequisites for this situation are ideal due to synergies between Europe and China within PIA and can be beneficially utilized as the project positively demonstrates. Here, technological know how for innovative production plants from Austria meets the best possible access to the Chinese market with the location in Ningbo. While the production of the plant takes place there, (i.e. in close proximity to the customer) almost all of the engineering comes from Grambach. In the long run and with future projects already in the pipeline, the Austrian site can not only be secured, but can also be expanded. Norbert Kahr sums up this win-win situation clearly, “The global structure of mechanical engineering companies will play a decisive role in the future. Only suppliers who are globally networked and are able to produce and support locally will have a significant advantage in future projects“. Under the umbrella of the PIA Group and with the support of a visionary Chinese owner, PIA is perfectly positioned for future strategic partnerships with automotive suppliers and OEMs in China.