Kingspan's KS Series Panels Seal the Envelope

Aisin Corporation, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of automatic transmissions, recently opened its first plant in the state of Texas. Located in Cibolo, the $400 million, 463,800 square-foot plant produces high quality and high performance automatic and hybrid transmissions. The transmissions are used in Toyota Tundra trucks that are manufactured in San Antonio.

Aisin has created roughly 400 new jobs since the opening of the plant, with plans to hire more than 900 new employees in the future. Aisin’s new plant is a prime example of the growing trend of vehicle manufacturers opening facilities in Texas — particularly in the Alamo region. Not only does the region have a reliable workforce, but most of these plants have gained tax relief packages from local municipalities, making it a desirable place to set up shop.

KAI Enterprises, the design and build firm, chose insulated metal panels to complete the nearly 500,000 square-foot facility. More than 98,000 square-feet of Kingspan’s KS Mini Micro-Rib and Optimo Smooth panels were used on the project.

The KS Mini Micro-Rib provides a unique aesthetic through its ribbed profile while delivering supreme thermal performance at the same time. Its fully engineered joint design allows for profile integration, creating a striking appearance that is a perfect aesthetic compliment to Kingspan’s flat panel offering, Optimo. The Optimo panels deliver a flat, architectural-focused modern building envelope solution. The use of pearlescent micas or metallic colors provide an even more dynamic finish.  By combining these two profiles in a single project, architects can achieve aesthetic dynamics that adds design depth to large industrial designs like the Aisin project.

Aside from aesthetics, the KS Mini Micro-Rib and the Optimo panels have another benefit in common – thermal efficiency. As temperatures across the nation continue to rise, the use of IMPs are a way to future-proof buildings to reduce energy consumption. 

Texas cities have set temperature records following a relentless heat wave this summer. In June, Corpus Christi logged a heat index of 125 degrees. Readings in Laredo, Del Rio, San Angelo and Junction were also the highest ever recorded, according to the National Weather Service. 

IMPs provide an air and watertight continuous insulation barrier that seals the building enclosure and helps increase energy efficiency, making it a preferred building envelope approach for manufacturing centers. This thermal efficiency and full vapor and water barrier make IMPs an energy efficient cladding option, helping Aisin cut down on building cooling costs amid the Texas heat. 

LOCATION

Cibolo, TX, US

BUILDING OWNER

AISIN Texas Corporation

MANUFACTURER

Kingspan Insulated Panels

SIZE

463,800 sq. ft.

DATE COMPLETED

2022