Getrag Ford to Boost Dual-Clutch Transmission Capacity in Slovakia, Expand R&D Operations

VIENNA – Getrag Ford Transmissions, a50/50 joint venture founded in 2001, plans to expand annual capacity  at its dual-clutch transmission plant in Kechnec, Eastern Slovakia, from 220,000 units to 285,000 in order to increase its market share.

The facility, which launched DCT production in 2007, is located in the Kechnec Industrial Park, about 11 miles (18 km) from the country’s second-largest city of Kosice.

Ford, Mitsubishi, Renault and Volvo are customers for the Slovak-made dual-clutch transmissions.

As part of the expansion program, some manufacturing-related research and development activities, such as launch costs, production development and implementation, will be transferred to Kechnec from the Getrag Ford innovation center in Cologne, Germany.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, which is providing a large portion of the financing for the project, says in a statement it is supporting the expanded R&D cooperation between Cologne and Kechnec because “it is related to a broader R&D dual-clutch transmission program carried out by Getrag Ford.”

A total  €75 million ($92 million) will be invested in the project, Getrag Ford says, with the EBRD contributing €50 million ($61.4 million) of that sum as a loan.

Getrag Ford declines to comment on the timing of the expansion project or the number of new jobs to be created. The company currently employs about 820 workers in Kechnec.