As part of its ambitious plans to increase its output target to 500,000 cars per year by 2018, Tesla has announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Grohmann Engineering. The engineering company, based in Prüm, Germany, will become Tesla Grohmann Automation under the agreement.
Grohmann Engineering is a world leader in highly automated methods of manufacturing, with the acquisition hoping to bring this expertise in-house. Moreover, it will serve as the initial base for Tesla Advanced Automation Germany headquarters, with other locations to follow. Tesla has announced that it expects to add over 1,000 advanced engineering and skilled technician jobs in Germany over the next two years.
Under the continued leadership of Mr. Grohmann, several critical elements of Tesla’s automated manufacturing systems will be designed and produced in Prüm to help make its factories ‘the most advanced in the world’.
To date, Tesla has increased the production rate at its Fremont facility by 400% in four years, and expects this acquisition to accelerate that growth rate. While the agreement is contingent upon clearance from regulators, including in Germany, Tesla states that it hopes to have full approval and close the acquisition in early 2017.