GKN Driveline Zumaia has celebrated 75 years of automotive technology production in Northern Spain with a series of events to mark the occasion
The plant recently held an official celebration involving GKN executives, employees, local dignitaries and customers. This included a ceremony and plant tour, followed by an official dinner. GKN PLC Chief Executive Nigel Stein attended the event, along with Arantxa Tapia, the Economic Development and Competitiveness Minister of the Basque Country and Oriel Korta, Mayor of Zumaia.
The ceremony was followed with an open day for current and former employees and their families, where employees were recognised for the best safety, quality, industrial,social and green projects.
GKN Driveline Zumaia was founded in Eibar in 1940 as Ayra Durex, manufacturing automotive components for Spanish automakers. GKN acquired a stake in the company operating the plant in the 1970s, before acquiring the remainder of the business in 1996.
It moved to its current location, which is 18 miles north of Eibar, in 1974 and today the plant employs over 370 people, producing driveshafts and other driveline technologies for a range of global automotive customers, including, Nissan, Toyota, FCA, GM, Jaguar Land Rover, Ford and BMW, amongst others.
The plant produces nine million driveshaft components a year and is a Global Product Centre for the production of fixed joints and shafts, meaning it is recognised by GKN as a leader in the production of this technology.
GKN Driveline Zumaia Plant Director Txomin Oronoz said: “Our 75th anniversary is a momentous occasion for GKN Driveline Zumaia and recognises our long heritage and association with the automotive industry. GKN introduced constant velocity joint technology to the Spanish market, offering improved refinement and vehicle dynamics to local manufacturers, and we continue to innovate today, identifying the best manufacturing processes and leading the way in safety and quality.
“Today GKN Driveline Zumaia works with the world’s largest automakers, as well as supplying other GKN plants, and is one of the major employers in northern Spain. It is an honour to lead the 75th anniversary celebrations.“
Helmuth Rohregger, President of GKN Driveline in Europe, added: “Spain is an important automotive market for GKN and is one of the major manufacturing centres of Europe. GKN Driveline Zumaia typiefies the best qualities of a modern, forward-thinking automotive production facility, employing best-in-class processes.“
GKN Driveline Zumaia is one of 16 plants in Europe, including three in Spain.
GKN Driveline Zumaia timeline
1940: Ayra Durex starts manufacturing automotive components and firearms in Eibar
1974: The company transfers the automotive part of its business to Zumaia
1978: GKN acquires a 34% stake in the company
1986: GKN increases its holding in the company, acquiring a 66% stake
1996: GKN completes full acquisition of the business, plus wider companies in Spain
1998: Plant awarded Innovation in People Manager award from the Basque Government
2000: Start of Global Product Centre activities, including manufacture of fixed joints and shafts
