Kuka wins ‘major’ contracts worth $75 million from US automotive manufacturer

Kuka Systems has received three major new systems contracts from “a leading manufacturer of premium vehicles in the US”, according to the company.

The projects comprise the engineering and construction of systems to build vehicles body structures in the USA and Mexico, says Kuka.

Kuka estimates the order value to be approximately $75 million, and says it was booked in the third quarter of 2017. Start of production is planned for mid-2019. 

The components for the production of these vehicles are to be joined by means of spot welding and adhesive bonding process.

Also, a total of three North America Kuka plants are to be involved in the construction and integration of these systems.

Lawrence Drake, president and CEO of Kuka Systems Group, says: “This order, from one of our largest North American customers, shows its continued confidence in the excellence and competitiveness of the flexible manufacturing systems we deliver for them for building and assembling new body-shop systems.”

Dr Till Reuter, CEO of Kuka, says: “This order is recognition of our innovative products.

“At the same time, this order enables us to further strengthen our market position in North America and benefit from the trend towards automation in the automotive industry.”