German lighting specialist Hella (Lippstadt; www.hella.com) said it plans to double production capacity at its electronic components plant in Shanghai with an investment on the high end of tens of million of euros. With the addition of a new building, the company’s manufacturing facilities for components such as voltage transformers and parts for steering electronics now span an area of around 50,000 m². Over the next three years, Hella also plans to increase the workforce at its Shanghai location from 1,600 to 2,200.

Björn Twiehaus, head of the company’s global electronics business, said he expects growing demand for solutions in e-mobility and automated driving. Hella plans to begin production of sensors for a Chinese carmaker in the new building at the end of November.

In August, the previous majority shareholders of Hella decided to sell their shares to French competitor Faurecia (Nanterre; www.faurecia.com; see Plasteurope.com of 17.08.2021).