Coventry-based Expert Tooling & Automation (www.expert-amt.com), a manufacturer of industrial automation and tooling systems, is opening a new plant in China that will double the company’s size.

Having formed a partnership with Chinese group Star Eagle Global and won backing from the regional government of Anhui province, it has secured a new 200,000ft² factory in the city of Hefei.

Production will begin before the end of the year and it is expected that the new plant will employ around 200 people by the end of 2019.

Some employees of Star Eagle Global group have already been transferred to the new company, which is called Expert Automation Technology Co Ltd.

Expert is a leading manufacturer of industrial automation systems, assembly tooling and systems, special-purpose machinery and robotic cells.

Its customers include Jaguar Land Rover, Ford, Toyota, Nissan, Aston Martin and McLaren.

The Chinese venture is designed to use its expertise in aluminium and composite vehicle assembly, battery pack assembly, powertrains and final assembly in China’s rapidly growing electric-vehicle sector.

Angelo Luciano, managing director and founder, said: “This is the culmination of over 12 months’ negotiations. Our partners have significant interests in automotive-equipment manufacturers around the world, which fits extremely well with Expert’s highly skilled and qualified workforce and our expertise and experience in key areas of the industry.

“The new venture will allow us to capitalise on the largest and fastest-growing automotive market in the world.”