development of lightweight products and vertical integration potential as the region offers attractive labour rates and investment opportunities, as well as being a good location for transportation and logistics. The company supplies ‘all the car manufacturers in Europe’ and, as such, has a strong understanding of the changing face
of the automotive industry. In addition to its existing European manufacturing facilities, Lear is making considerable investments in what it sees as positive market conditions in Russia. A company spokesperson said, “We see Russia and North Africa as important geographical areas for business development, and they are key areas of investment.
We have invested well over €30m in Russia alone, with funds put into factories for seat manufacturing, wire harnesses and electronics. Our two new Russian factories will give us 23,000m2 of impressive technologically advanced manufacturing space.” The two core divisions at Lear Corporation are the seating systems division and the