Automotive systems manufacturer Henniges Automotive Inc. has broken ground on its new manufacturing facility in Gomez Palacio, Mexico.

According to the company, which produces highly engineered sealing and anti-vibration systems for the global automotive market, the plant will support six vehicle platforms and will be the company’s largest facility in Mexico and its second largest worldwide.

The new facility is expected to be operational by 2016 and “is strategically positioned to expand the company’s global footprint, helping satisfy the needs of both domestic and international customers, and draws from a long history of working in the region,” said Larry Rollins, Henniges’ vice president of global manufacturing at the Auburn Hills, Michigan-based company.

“It is of utmost importance for us at Henniges Automotive to serve our customers effectively, reliably and efficiently. This new facility gives us an opportunity to exceed key customer demand locally, while adding to our presence worldwide,” he said.

“Based on an uptick in regional business for our leading dynamic sealing solutions, paired with the growth of the automotive market in Mexico and the rest of Latin America, we’re confident this facility will serve us and our customers well,” added Rollins.

The 323,000 square foot operating space is Henniges’ fourth in Mexico, adding to its facility in Torreon that opened in 2012.

The Gomez Palacio facility will produce a variety of automotive sealing systems including dynamic, beltline and glass run seals – as well as anti-vibration systems, such as bushings, exhaust-hanger systems and center bearings, that are fitted to an automobile’s drive and power train, chassis and suspension.

According to Rollins, the company will open both a new engineering and sales office in Munich, Germany, and a 14,000 square-foot technical and tooling center in Beijing, China in September.

Henniges Automotive has five existing facilities in China – Beijing, Changchun, Chengdu, Tianjin and Tieling. The company also has four additional technical centers and manufacturing plants throughout Europe, located in Viersen and Rehburg-Loccum, Germany, and Mladá Boleslav and Hranice, Czech Republic.