Magna opening Arizona plant to supply metal structures for solar industry

A subsidiary of global auto parts maker Magna International Inc. is opening a plant in Arizona to produce metal structures and components for the solar power market.

The plant, located in Phoenix and operated by Cosma International, is expected to create 50 to 60 full-time jobs when production begins later this month.

The 66,000-square-foot facility, to be called Cosma Power Systems, will produce metal structures and roll-formed components and systems for the photovoltaic, concentrated photovoltaic and concentrated solar power solar markets.

“As a world-leading metal-forming supplier, Cosma is applying its 50-plus years of expertise to better serve the renewable energy industry,” company president Horst Prelog said in a statement. “We have manufacturing know-how and program management expertise that is highly sought by other industries. This new facility reflects our commitment to leverage our capabilities in this industry, while at the same time remaining a strong supplier partner to our automotive customers.”

Cosma International, with 47 manufacturing facilities and 25 product development and engineering centres worldwide, manufactures a comprehensive range of metal body systems, components, assemblies and modules, including complete vehicle frames, chassis systems and body-in-white systems.

Aurora-based Magna International has about 107,000 employees at 275 manufacturing operations and 85 product development, engineering and sales centres in 26 countries.