A Midland manufacturer has signed a deal to supply parts to build the next generation of Jaguar Land Rover vehicles.

Chassis component firm ZF Lemforder’s two Midland operations in Solihull and Darlaston are part of the global ZF Group and already produces modules for a range of Land Rovers and Jaguars.

Terry Somerfield, managing director of the German firm’s UK operations, said the firm would be involved in supplying corner units or control arms for the new Jaguar XE and Land Rover Discovery Sport, both of which were recently unveiled, as well as the eagerly anticipated Jaguar SUV/crossover and the replacement for the current Land Rover Discovery in 2016.

Mr Somerfield said: “Certainly for Jaguar Land Rover vehicles we have quoted for the next range of vehicles and have secured these.”

He said the company needed to work on designing components several years in advance of a vehicle’s launch, given the rigorous testing that is required.

He said: “Programmes that we start are typically about two to three years ahead of the start of production.

“Suspension parts are safety critical and we have to do prototypes and test components and test vehicles. Our parts tend to get engineered two to three years ahead of production.”

Mr Summerfield said a ZF design team had already worked with Land Rover on its Discovery Sport and that ZF Lemforder expected to grow its Solihull operation in 2016 when the Land Rover Discovery replacement is expected to be launched.

He added: “With the Discovery Sport we have had a ZF design team working at Jaguar Land Rover with their engineers to help them develop design of the front and rear suspension.

“We expect more expansion in 2016 when the Discovery replacement comes on stream and have already been nominated for components for the Jaguar XE and crossover vehicle, which comes from the same platform as the XE.

ZF Lemforder’s Darlaston factory supplies suspension control arms to Jaguar, but also Aston Martin and Toyota, while the Solihull plant, which employs 113 people and is located on the Birmingham Business Park in Bickenhill, solely supplies Jaguar Land Rover.