Lanka Harness conquers world auto airbag sensor industry

Lanka Harness, a Sri Lankanbased precision technology company that makes airbag sensors and seat belts for auto companies in 12 countries, has earned US$80 million in export revenue last year, company Chairman Rohan Pallewatta disclosed.

Among those 12 countries are C h i n a , G e r many, India, Indonesia, Hungary, Poland and Romania.

Exploring further avenues overseas, the company has opened a factory in Mexico with an investment of $ 5 million recently to reduce lead time and costs in supplying airbag sensors to auto manufacturers based in Detroit in the US, he said adding that 30 workers have been deployed at this facility.

The small operation in Mexico presents an opportunity to build and consolidate relationships with carmakers across the border

The local firm will also acquire its parent company Ito SpringsJapan this year, to develop its business by supplying directly to carmakers in Europe and the US, he said.

This acquisition will help in establishing a firm integration with the supply chains of Japanese automakers that depend on their tier- one suppliers such as Japan- based Ito Springs for on- time delivery of small batches of products direct- ly to the production floor.

Sensors are a sensitive component of deploying airbags on impact to protect motorists, Mr. Pallewatte said.

Lanka Harness, based at the Biyagama Free Trade Zone, manufactures around 2 million airbag sensors per month for auto firms Toyota, Aston Martin, BMW, Fiat- Chrysler, Ford, Saab, Volkswagen and Volvo.

At the Biyagama factory around 1000 workers are working in smart assembly lines to put together imported micro components including electronic chips, wires and connectors in the manufacturing process of high standard auto airbag sensors of precision.