By SEMA Editors
Brembo--the Italian designer and manufacturer of high-performance braking systems with a North American office in Plymouth, Michigan--has completed its latest plant expansion in Escobedo, in the State of Nuevo Léon, Mexico.
The 322,917-sq. ft. expansion doubles the facility's aluminum caliper production output, from foundry to manufacturing and assembly, creating 500 new jobs through 2027, the company stated.
"The Escobedo plant expansion greatly increases Brembo's ability to serve our customers in North America," said Stéphane Rolland, Brembo North America president.
In addition, Brembo announces plans to expand two of its global facilities, including its China brake system manufacturing plant in Nanjing. Part of the expansion will be the renewal of its research and development center there. Work is expected to begin in the second half of 2023 and to be completed by the first half of 2025.
Brembo also decided to invest in a cast iron foundry in Dąbrowa Górnicza, Poland, where it currently houses a facility for producing and selling brake discs for cars and commercial vehicles. The "investment will create the most innovative Brembo foundry at the global level, which will be endowed with cutting-edge technology, also in terms of sustainability," the company stated. The first pouring of the foundry is expected in the first half of 2025.
These projects are in addition to Brembo's acquisition of the Italian property at Kilometro Rosso, an innovation hub in Stezzano. It is expected to be finalized by the end of 2023, allowing the company to expand its headquarters in Italy.
Bosch Announces New Bosch Mobility Business, President of Americas Region
Bosch has announced a realignment of its global mobility business, 
which beginning in January 2024, will be known as Bosch Mobility. A significant focus of the realignment is strengthening the regions to "serve existing and new customer needs even better and faster with customized technologies and solutions," a company rep stated.
The structure of Bosch Mobility recognizes the increased focus on and impact of software on the vehicle. Bosch Mobility aims to generate sales revenue of more than $84 billion worldwide by 2029, a more than 50% increase from 2022.
Bosch Mobility will be organized into seven divisions:
- Electrified Motion will be concerned with everything relating to electric motors, from the Bosch e-axle to seat adjusters.
- Vehicle Motion will cover vehicle dynamics, from ABS and ESP to steering.
- Power Solutions will handle combustion-engine technology, mobile and stationary fuel cells, electrolyzers and hydrogen engines.
- Cross-Domain Computing Solutions will develop solutions for areas ranging from automated parking to driver assistance and automated driving.
- Mobility Electronics will drive forward the development of control units and manage in-house semiconductor activities at Bosch.
- Mobility Aftermarket will cover the secondary parts market and the Bosch Car Service workshop franchise.
- E-Bike Systems will supply systems solutions, including drive units, rechargeable batteries, ABS and connected displays for e-bikes.
- The Bosch subsidiary ETAS will be given horizontal responsibility for hardware-agnostic software for operating systems and engineering tools.
In addition, Bosch has announced a new regional board to oversee its mobility business in North and South America. Beginning January 2024, Paul Thomas will step into the new role of president, Americas and lead the Bosch Mobility Americas regional board. He will oversee technology, strategy and sales for the Americas region.
Thomas currently serves as executive vice president of Bosch Mobility Solutions, Americas.
Velocity Modern Classics Restructures Executive Team
Velocity Modern Classics--the award-winning classic vehicle specialist based in Pensacola, Florida--has announced a newly restructured executive team.
Stuart Wilson, founder and former CEO, will continue to lead Velocity Modern Classics with a renewed focus on brand strategy and operational excellence as executive chairman.
Jeremy Hans will assume the role of CEO, moving from his previous position as partner. Hans brings years of leadership experience as the founder of a commercial real estate investment firm and 16 years as a U.S. Navy Officer and helicopter pilot. He will oversee all company divisions and focus on long-term growth as Velocity launches its new K5 Blazer, Mustang and F-Series truck offerings later this year.
In addition, Tom Maxwell joins as chief revenue officer to oversee the company's sales and marketing efforts. Paul Slater brings over two decades of experience as an accomplished manufacturing and supply chain operations executive to the role of chief operating officer. Finally, Michael Rodgers will serve as Velocity's chief financial officer with 25 years of professional finance experience in the public and private sectors.