Trilingual collaboration establishes new Japanese manufacturing facility in Mexico, wins global ENR award
Market
Automotive
Key Services
Construction
Preconstruction
Strategic Partnerships
Virtual Design & Construction
Delivery Method
Design-Build (DB)Capacity
317,500 SFWork Hours
900,000The challenge
This 317,500 SF manufacturing facility included a press plant, general assembly plant, paint shop totaling 283,000 SF of production space, and 34,400 SF administration building. Our client, a joint venture of Y-Tec and Keylex, is a tier one supplier of Mazda parts and accessories, and this facility established its first manufacturing presence in Mexico. It occupies space on a sprawling Mazda manufacturing campus in Salamanca, Guanajuato, Mexico. Alberici led construction as part of the Kajima l Alberici MX JV, which provided full design-build services.
The project team strategized to overcome obstacles while meeting an aggressive 16-month construction schedule. Challenges included adverse weather conditions during the tropical rainy season, international collaboration involving three languages, and ensuring compliance with both Japanese design standards and Mexican construction practices.
Key Facts
Winner of ENR Global Award of Merit
First Mexico facility for Japan’s Y-Tec Keylex
Zero lost-time incidents
First-tier supplier for Mazda
Challenge met
Project team members collaborated from three countries (Japan, Mexico, and US) with distinct languages, business cultures and organizational variances. Construction documents were delivered in English as common language, with supplemental notes in Spanish to facilitate construction. Meetings were held in all three languages, with multilingual team members translating.
Proactive planning for the rainy season informed precision construction sequencing to minimize weather delays. Early procurement of materials and established communication protocols enabled work to proceed without interruptions.
The successful execution of the YKM plant project earned Alberici an ENR Global Award of Merit in the Manufacturing category. By overcoming obstacles, ensuring international collaboration, and adhering to a demanding schedule, the Alberici joint venture successfully delivered YKM’s first plant in Mexico, enhancing their production capabilities for Mazda’s motor vehicle parts.
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