American car parts producer TRW Automotive Holdings plans to open a new airbag sewing facility in Roman, in the North- Eastern part of Romania, counting on growth in demand for airbag cushions over the next years.

The new plant is expected to employ some 400 people this year, and up to 1,000 staff by 2017.

"By 2018, we expect that an additional 12 million sewn bags will be needed. The new facility will support our airbag plants across Europe," said Frank Mueller, TRW’s vice president and general manager for global occupant safety system, quoted by Automotive News.

TRW opened its first local facility, namely a steering wheel leather wrapping plant, in 2004 in  Timisoara, western Romania. A similar facility was opened in Baia Mare in 2012.

The American company also has production sites in Oravita, Lupeni and Marghita.

Another American-based supplier, namely Lear Corporation, will open a new seating plant in Iasi, Romania, this month. Serving all major European automotive manufacturers, Lear’s new facility will employ about 1,500 people.

With 2012 sales of USD 16.4 billion, TRW Automotive ranks among the world's leading automotive suppliers. Headquartered in Livonia, Michigan, USA, the company, through its subsidiaries, operates in 25 countries and employs approximately 65,000 people worldwide.

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com