INAUXA-EDAI sets up a Technology Innovation Center for car components at AIC Boroa in Tandem with VOLKSWAGEN
INAUXA-EDAIs 7.5 million investment includes equipment acquisition, transfer of VOLKSWAGEN technology and technician training processes in Germany | 03/11/20113 November 2011 Basque automotive component, suspension link, steering system and chassis engineering and fabrication specialist INAUXA has signed an agreement with VOLKSWAGEN to create an international benchmark center for engineering developments and component validation for the automotive industry at the AIC-Automotive Intelligence Center, Boroa. AIC hosted the future centers presentation at an event attended by Biscay Provincial Council chief executive José Luis Bilbao, Basque deputy regional minister for Industry & Energy Xabier Garmendia and VOLKSWAGEN Braunschweig, INAUXA and AIC representatives.
Both the Basque Government and the Biscay Provincial Council are cooperating on the project, which is divided into a number of phases to be introduced gradually to 2016. Besides the acquisition of equipment, the project also requires a technology transfer process from VOLKSWAGEN to INAUXA-EDAI, and training for 15 technicians at the VW Braunschweig facilities in Germany. Also included in the agreement are the dispatch of resident VOLKSWAGEN engineers to INAUXA-EDAI, plus a series of cooperation agreements with universities and technology centers in the Basque Country.
Ultimately, INAUXA-EDAI is looking to develop cutting-edge technology for chassis and component engineering in close cooperation with VOLKSWAGEN, and to become fully involved in validation and fabrication, whether in the Basque region or at factories of Basque firms abroad, in future vehicle platforms, complete axles and a range of components for leading carmakers. Once up and running, the AIC-based center, in line with VOLKSWAGENs own objectives, will be aiming to generate one patent application per year for every two engineers.
Under the agreement, investment in equipment and training will amount to 7.5 million, including setting up hi-tech laboratories and test benches, featuring in pride of place a 12-component hexapod advanced test bench, this being the third of its kind in the worldwide VOLKSWAGEN Group.
So the new INAUXA-EDAI center at AIC brings to Boroa a VW-validated hi-tech project that is going to have a hugely positive effect on the automotive industry in the Basque region, favoring development and construction potential in parts and complete products for a range of industries.
About INAUXA-EDAI
With a wealth of experience and acclaim in the ancillary automotive industry, INAUXA specializes in the fabrication of suspension links and steering and chassis systems. Major INAUXA clients include leading carmakers like Volkswagen, General Motors, Nissan and Renault. Turnover in 2010 came to 37.6 million.
Besides the technology transfer agreement with Volkswagen, INAUXAs growth and internationalization plans previously led to the creation in 2010 of the subsidiaries INAUMEX (Mexico) and INAUTEK (China), as well as the creation of the engineering division EDAI itself, conceived as a world benchmark in the suspension system design, development and homologation.
About AIC
AIC-Automotive Intelligence Center is an open innovation center that integrates knowledge, training, technology and industrial development under one umbrella to improve competitive levels in the automotive industry. It was promoted and is backed by the Biscay Provincial Council, the Amorebieta-Etxano and Ermua city halls, a group of leading-edge firms from the automotive industry and Basque automotive cluster ACICAE.