A new automotive supplier called SRG Global Inc. (Warren, MI) launched at the Geneva International Motor Show in Switzerland. Cobbled together from the trim operations of Guardian Automotive and Siegel-Robert Automotive, including Guardian’s European trim operation formerly known as Lab Radio, SRG, which is owned by Guardian, began to form with Guardian’s May 2008 acquisition of Siegel-Robert. The new company will be led by Kevin Baird, president and CEO; Kevin Myers, COO; and Jon DeGaynor, VP business development and strategy, SRG representatives told MPW

The automotive market is experiencing its worst figures in decades, and an SRG spokesperson acknowledged the difficulties, but believes the fresh start will help the newly combined company. “We see this as first a way to survive but really a way to succeed. We took this opportunity to take advantage of the industry’s current downturn and to regroup, resize, and restructure ourselves to come out the other end of the economic recession a stronger supplier.”

Headquartered near Detroit, the new business’s manufacturing presence extends to Europe (Ibi and Lliria, Spain) and Asia (Anjyo City and Shin Yokohama, Japan; Shanghai and Suzhou, China). In North America, the company lists 10 sites spread among Georgia, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, and Tennessee.

According to the release announcing the new business, SRG Global employs around 4000 globally, with 3100 employees spread among six U.S. manufacturing plants and technical centers, including 100 employees at the Warren, MI headquarters. The company expects to add new facilities in Central Europe and Mexico. SRG representatives told MPW that over the next two years it also plans to expand its current facility in China as well as look for other acquisition opportunities within the country. The source said the aforementioned expansion into Mexico and Central Europe is planned for 2010, with negotiations underway regarding specific locations. Those talks will ultimately decide final construction and startup costs. The company says any addition’s size will be consistent with other facilities serving the various regions.

Specializing in chrome-plated plastic parts, SRG Global supplies front-end/rear-end; greenhouse; body-side; and interior systems. The company operates 250 injection molding machines, ranging in size from 28 to 3500 tons, with capabilities in gas-assist, co-injection, and sequential molding. —[email protected]