German joint venture opens Windsor facility for front-end modules

Auto parts manufacturer Hella Behr Plastic Omnium (HBPO) North America has opened its first Canadian manufacturing location, a 66,000 square foot facility in Windsor, Ont.

“We are very excited about our future here in Windsor,” said HBPO president Emmanuel Boudon. “This plant is our first in Canada. We knew that Windsor had the right people and was the right place to make our business grow and succeed. We have great aspirations for our company, and we’re already looking at expanding the beginning of a great partnership here today.”

HBPO North America specializes in the design, development, assembly and logistics of integrated front-end modules. The company’s investment will create 100 jobs in Windsor.

“This is great news for Windsor and Ontario,” said Economic Development and Trade Minister Sandra Pupatello at the facility’s opening on Friday. “HBPO’s investment is a huge vote of confidence in this province and our automotive industry.”

HBPO is a German joint venture between Hella KGaA Hueck & Co., a producer of car body electronics and headlamp and lighting technology; Behr GmbH & Co. KG, Stuttgart, a producer of air conditioning and engine cooling systems, and Plastic Omnium, a maker of plastics, crash management and pedestrian protection systems.