Pune, INDIA, February 19, 2018 – MaxionWheels, the world’s largest wheel manufacturer, today held a ground breaking ceremony (Bhoomi Poojan) on the future site of its 25,000 square meters plant in Khed City, Pune. Hundreds of guests, including company dignitaries, customers, suppliers and associates attended the traditional Hindu event, which included a plaque unveiling and traditional ground breaking ritual.

During his ceremony speech, Maxion Wheels’ Chief Executive Officer, Pieter Klinkers remarked on the significance of the event, “With our new Pune passenger car aluminum wheel plant, Maxion Wheels becomes the first global light vehicle aluminum wheel producer in the Indian market. We responded to our growing global customers’ requests, and made the investment to join them in the world’s fastest-growing economy. When our project is complete, we will produce four million aluminum wheels annually. In this first phase, an investment of more than $50 million USD will be spent on the land and state-of-the-art plant and equipment for the manufacturing of two million wheels annually. Start of production is expected in the third quarter of 2019.”

The new wholly-owned operation, expected to initially bring more than 1,000 new direct and indirect jobs to the region, will produce low pressure die cast aluminum wheels with a high-end wheel finish.

Maxion Wheels, a division of IOCHPE-MAXION S.A., is a leading wheel manufacturer for passenger cars, light trucks, buses, commercial trucks and trailers. The Company also produces wheels for agriculture and military vehicles, as well as other off-highway applications. With more than 100 years of wheel-making experience and 10,000 employees globally, Maxion is the world's largest wheel manufacturer, producing 58 million wheels per year. The Company serves its global OEM customers from 28 locations in 15 countries on five continents, and has state-of-the-art technical centers in the Americas, Europe and Asia.

Colleen Hanley
Global Director, Marketing and Communications
Maxion Wheels
Tel: +1 (734) 737-5204
Email: colleen.hanley@maxionwheels.com