HANON SYSTEMS, transitioning to future technology through innovation

HANON SYSTEMS, transitioning to future technology through innovation

A former FORD factory, which used to be VISTEON but is now HANON Systems, an Ardennes-based subsidiary of a Korean group specialising in automotive cooling and air conditioning equipment, has been undergoing a transformation since 2016.

Although the site with nearly 1,000 employees was scheduled to close 9 years ago, the CEO was able to demonstrate to the group that the branch could become profitable again by modernising it, all while using less funds than would take to close it. Thus, by repositioning the strategy to gradually phase out plastic products and produce more high value-added aluminium equipment, the company has gained new markets and margins.

This is especially the case for the production of completely new electric battery cooling systems, which are already in use by major European car manufacturers, and have been specially developed over 2 years by the Industrialisation department of the Ardennes subsidiary. A new production plant is being deployed with over 8,000 m² of workshops to carry out production, with an investment of €31 million for the third consecutive year. Most of the machine tools in the production chain were developed in France or Europe.

This development is supported by the Grand Est Region and the French “Plan de Relance” recovery plan by proving that it is possible to preserve employment in France and in French Ardennes by innovating, while demonstrating that French-style productivity is not a myth. The Hanon Group's confidence is such that, at the end of the year, the French subsidiary was recapitalised to the tune of €75 million.

After a very difficult period, the innovative and productive company Hanon Systems France is proving the worth of its foothold in the Ardennes, a prime industrial and automotive territory, supported by local players.

 

By Ardennes Développement, the Ardennes economic development agency - ardennes-developpement.com