Toyota Tsusho America and TRB Lightweight Structures Form Strategic Alliance in the US

TRB LS and Toyota Tsusho America have entered a joint venture providing high volume composite parts for the North American automotive industry.

The new venture has opened a location near Lexington, Kentucky, US, and will begin delivering composite battery enclosures to a Tier 1 supplier to the truck and bus industry in April. Composite materials are gaining popularity in the automotive industry due to their light weight and superior mechanical properties.

TRB is headquartered in the UK and brings decades of experience manufacturing lightweight solutions for transportation, including rail and aerospace, using both composites and aluminium. The new venture leverages TRB’s automated manufacturing techniques and Toyota Tsusho America’s global supply chain. The factory will utilise proprietary robotics and processing automation to unlock cost-effective composite part production.

“We’re striving to support our customers as they move to electrification,” said Mike Lavender, senior vice-president of Toyota Tsusho America.

“We’re thrilled to collaborate with Toyota Tsusho America to bring our knowledge and innovation to US automakers and their suppliers,” said Richard Holland, managing director of TRB LS.

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