Calsonic Case Study

Operating from its Llanelli base the Calsonic Technology Centre Europe supplies advanced engineering design and process expertise to the seven Calsonic manufacturing centres in Europe.

Opened 5 years ago initially with 100 people, the Centre now employs 250 highly qualified engineers and technologists.

50% of UK cars have air conditioning as standard and by working closely with vehicle manufacturers, Calsonic engineers designed and developed the products that made this possible in terms of cost and performance.

The close proximity of Swansea Institute's Design and Technology Centre and a University Wales College contributed to the research expertise and these two instate centres also share the facilities with Calsonic.

Mitsui Case Study

Mitsui Components Europe Ltd established its European manufacturing headquarters in Ammanford in August and began full production in January 2000.

The company produce door locking assemblies for the automotive industry and supplies both Honda and Toyota plants in the United Kingdom and France.

The investment will eventually create over 220 jobs over a five-year period. Its new European plant is based at the Parc Hendre Industrial Estate, where the company purchased a 50,000 sq ft factory built by the Welsh Development Agency.

Mitsui Kinzoku began evaluating sites in 1998 for a European facility and looked at the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands. It made extensive and detailed regional and property investigations and site visits before deciding on Ammanford.

The availability of a good quality factory unit, complete with the availability of a skilled and flexible workforce were the deciding factors for Mitsui Kinzoku.