Manufacturing subsidiary moves to larger  weatherstrip plant in a new central China location

Kiyosu, Japan – Toyoda Gosei Co. Ltd has announced the opening of a new plant in central China by group company Hubei Toyoda Gosei Zheng Ao Rubber and Plastic Sealing Technology Co. Ltd (TG Zheng Ao).

The Shiyan, Hubei-based subsidiary's new 302-employee facility spans 34,000m2, double the size of the previous facility, on a site covering a land area of 60,000m2.     

TG Zheng Ao has become “a core location for business expansion of Toyoda Gosei in the Chinese interior,” according to a statement from the Japanese group. 

“With the establishment of this new plant we can meet our customers’ needs for production increases in central China,” said Toru Koyama, president of Toyoda Gosei, in a virtual link-up during the opening.

“We hope to make a greater contribution to the regional economy through growth of the business as a company rooted in the community,” Koyama added at the 13 July event.

TG Zheng Ao joined Toyoda Gosei with the group’s investment in Hubei Rock, an independent supplier of weatherstrip for automobile door and window sealing applications, in 2018.

To handle growing sales of weatherstrips in the region, the previous plant was moved to a neighbouring industrial park in central China and expanded in June 2021.

Productivity at the plant was improved by adopting a more efficient production layout, according to Toyoda Gosei’s statement.

TG Zheng Ao and predecessor Hubei Rock, it added, have been established suppliers of weatherstrip to Dongfeng Motor Corp., one of China’s ‘big three’ automotive manufacturers, and other  vehicle makers.