08/05/2024

Schuler Invests in Tubular Hydroforming

The North American headquarters expands its Hydroforming Production Center for a new 5,000-ton press, bending cell & automation technology.

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Schuler North America employees celebrate the building expansion during the May 10th Groundbreaking Ceremony.

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Schuler’s Hydroforming Production Center expands its shop floor by 10,000 sq ft.

Schuler North America is expanding its facility by 10,000 square feet to make room for new technology: a 5,000-ton hydroforming press, bending cell, and automation technology. The construction is already well underway. 

“This significant investment is a major component in our strategic growth plan and would not be possible without the support from one of our key Tier-One customers,” explains Kevin McAllister, President of Schuler North America. “The new technology and building expansion will provide us with the resources and capabilities needed to better serve our customers, support our employees, and contribute to the communities we call home.”

Schuler’s Hydroforming Production Center already hosts 3,500-ton and 8,500-ton hydroforming presses, with the latter being the largest hydroforming press in the United States. The new press, currently being manufactured in Brazil by Schuler Group subsidiary Prensas Schuler, will feature advanced controls and hydraulics, and it will provide greater flexibility moving jobs between all three presses.

“Our shop floor currently has two hydroforming presses running production five days per week across three shifts,” states Klaus Hertell, VP of Hydroforming. “Investing in Schuler’s latest technology is critical in supporting a new EV front structure project and maintaining our foothold as the lead supplier in North America for tubular hydroforming.”

The Hydroforming Production Center serves as a full-service provider with in-house processes such as bending, preforming, hydroforming, laser cutting, and minor assembly. Schuler also develops new dies for in-house production and OEM/Tier supply base use and has a team of engineers with extensive expertise in various materials—including aluminum and dual-phase steels. The Hydroforming Production Center is a part of the Canton, Michigan North American headquarters that was built in 2000 to support several local key businesses: service, engineering, project management, sales, marketing, and in-house tubular hydroforming production.