Its business portfolio includes electrical distribution systems (wiring harnesses), automotive rearview mirrors, polymer processing, machined metal products, cutting tools, information technology services as well as engineering and design.
The group has invested in technologies that provide manufacturing support, including compressors, paint coating equipment, auxiliary equipment for injection moulding machines and automotive manufacturing engineering services.
It is one of the largest global suppliers of exterior rearview mirrors and has a significant share in providing wiring harnesses for two-wheelers as well as earthmoving and materials handling equipment in Europe. The group was the top ranked auto ancillary in India in 2012 with an approximate annual revenue of $2.9-billion.
In South Africa, its subsidiary MSSL Global RSA Module Engineering is based in Pretoria and was founded in 2009 through its operations in Mauritius.
With the establishment of the subsidiary, the group invested more than R250-million in the country and created 350 jobs at the time. In 2011, MSSL acquired a controlling interest in Vacuform, a manufacturer of vacuum-formed and polyurethane moulded components.
Through its commercial moulding facility, the company manufactures moulded parts and assemblies that include exterior (bumpers, engine covers, fender grills and so on) and interior commodities (pillar trims) as well as power-train moulded parts (engine covers and fuel tank undershields).
The facility forms part of the group's global network of more than 139 factories. The South African facility includes moulding and assembly operations supported by a fully robotic paint shop for painting body colour-matched parts.
In partnership with Ford and the Automotive Industry Development Centre, MSSL has been a supporter of the incubation centre programme designed to nurture black-owned component suppliers to the Ford plant in Silverton. The incubation facility is working to develop small black businesses in the area by providing them with professional support and growth opportunities.
Entrepreneurs are selected and housed at the facility to enable them to eventually supply the Ford production line. MSSL won the Nissan contract last year for the motor manufacturer's current bakkie and is in talks to take over its bumper moulding and painting operations. Last year, MSSL also won the contract for Toyota Corolla and HiLux models.
This resulted in the building of a new plant in Durban, which created 400 jobs in the area and reflected an investment of more than R600-million. MSSL also established its own Tool Room in South Africa last year and it made the first injection moulding tool towards the end of 2012.
The South African subsidiary has partnered with the Gauteng government on a training programme for young women. The subsidiary provides an international opportunity for Gauteng youth to participate in a United Arab Emirates workplace programme.
The first group of five trainees aged between 18 and 25 left for the UAE last month and will spend two years training in Dubai.
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