The IAC Group has selected KraussMaffei as the system supplier to equip the automotive components supplier's new plant in Bals, Romania. As sole contract partner for plastics processing equipment, KraussMaffei will supply the new production facility with 28 injection molding machines, systems for polyurethane foaming and punching, and the required PUR tooling.

IAC Group announced early this week it would build a €58 million, 15,000m² facility in Bals. The facility will produce instrument panels, door panels, headliners and other interior trim components to support Ford Motor Company's production of two new passenger cars at its plant in Craiova, Romania.

The order for plastics processing equipment, according to KraussMaffei (Munich, Germany) is valued in the double-digit million range, and includes supplying and assembling systems, machinery and molds, developing, planning and design of product elements, together with a number of services. The molding machines to be delivered will be sized 500-3200 tonnes' clamping force and include automation. IAC is focused on production of interior components.

"We're delighted with the trust that IAC has demonstrated by placing this major order with us. We see it as further confirmation of our industry-leading competence as a supplier of technologies, processes and solutions," explained Karlheinz Bourdon, director of injection molding machinery at KraussMaffei Technologies GmbH. He added that the order helps confirm KraussMaffei's "Technology3" strategy by which it works to realize synergies across its entire machine range—injection molding, PUR processing, and extrusion—to meet a customer's requirements.

"We're in a position to coordinate machine technologies, process sequences and materials for optimal outcomes," noted Frank Peters, who leads the machine manufacturer's Reaction Process Machinery business. He added, "Molds and tooling make up a substantial share of this order; this reflects the huge expertise of the responsible division, Automotive Component Systems (ACS) in Viersen and Harderberg, Germany, and also indicates that the recently completed doubling of the production area of our plant in Harderberg was a good strategic move." The Harderberg facility is where KM makes PUR tooling.

IAC intends to employ approximately 400 at the Bals facility when fully operational. IAC has 73 manufacturing facilities in 15 countries and employs approximately 19,000. The Romanian Government supported the Bals investment project with state aid worth €17 million, with this state aid in addition to the €58 million IAC plans to invest.