The minister of Industry and Innovation and president of SODERCAN visits the Hitachi Astemo factory in San Felices de Buelna

The Ministry of Industry, Employment, Innovation and Commerce of the Government of Cantabria has granted the Hitachi Astemo Buelna plant a subsidy of one million euros through the competitive call for large projects to improve industrial competitiveness.

In this way, the Government of Cantabria will support the San Felices factory in the experimental development of new technological solutions in the field of brake systems.

A project, with an execution period of 18 months, represents a total investment of approximately five million euros.

This was announced by the Minister, Eduardo Arasti, during a visit to Hitachi in San Felices, accompanied by the director of the factory, Pablo Fernández, and the head of Creation, Innovation and Business Consolidation of SODERCAN, Alfredo Cuesta.

Arasti stressed that the automotive components sector is “strategic” for the economy of Cantabria.

He added that R&D projects are “crucial” in addressing the challenge faced by the sector “in a moment of rapid transformation driven by the need for technological innovation and sustainability”.

Advances in electric and autonomous vehicles, coupled with strict environmental and safety regulations, are redefining the requirements for braking systems.

These changing realities have forced companies to adapt by implementing advanced solutions that not only meet the most exacting technical standards, but also improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact.

LARGE PROJECTS

The Minister reaffirmed the commitment of the Government of Cantabria to support the automotive sector with several different lines of funding, including those aimed at large projects to improve the industrial competitiveness. The primary aim of SODERCAN is to encourage innovation by supporting experimental industrial research and development projects that will boost the competitiveness of Cantabrian industry and promote energy efficiency.

Through calls for large projects to improve industrial competitiveness, SODERCAN has provided subsidies of 5.3 million euros to 9 large companies in Cantabria, representing 3,637 jobs and with a total investment of some 23 million euros in R&D+i.

“We want to help promote and encourage R&D projects and energy efficiency in Cantabrian companies, as well as to orient industrial diversification and excellence towards new and cutting edge technologies” Arasti stated.

With its innovation projects, Hitachi Astemo Buelna aims to develop new advanced technological solutions for the improvement of conventional brakes (hydraulic and electric) and the creation of new intelligent braking systems (without hydraulic systems) while also implementing highly automated and efficient production processes to build out the company’s product portfolio and ensure its competitiveness in the global market. 

HITACHI ASTEMO BUELNA

The Hitachi Astemo Buelna plant, located in the Agüera industrial park in San Felices de Buelna, extends over a total of 18,500 square metres with a workforce of 346 highly skilled employees, of whom 7.51% are women.

As one of the largest manufacturers of brakes for the automotive industry worldwide, Hitachi produces three main product lines: conventional brake systems, brake systems for electrical applications and mechatronic brake systems.

With a client list including the leading car manufacturers, the products of Hitachi Astemo Buelna offer great added-value in terms of quality and innovation, adapted to the needs of each vehicle. Hitachi brake systems are commercialised through automotive parts distribution channels.

The last financial year (ending March 31, 2023), Hitachi Astemo Buelna saw an increase in turnover of 34.25% compared to the previous year. Some 80% of its products were exported, principally to other EU countries with 11% exported to America and Asia.

The company is highly automated and has implemented an advanced ‘lean’ manufacturing system.

COMMITMENT TO QUALITY

In recent years, the company has made a significant investments to ensure its technological advantage, with a commitment to quality as a strategic asset in competing in a global market and a guarantee of continuity and success in the future.

Hitachi Astemo, headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a joint venture of Hitachi, Ltd., Honda Motor Co., and JIC Capital, Ltd. With 80,000 employees worldwide and operations in the Americas, Asia, China, Europe, and Japan, the company is a global mega-supplier in the automotive industry.

The Electrical Division, the Chassis and Internal Combustion Engines Division and the Motorcycle Division are all engaged in the development, manufacture, sale and servicing of automobile parts, as well as industrial machinery and transportation systems.

Hitachi Astemo is committed to creating a sustainable society and delivering greater corporate value.