TI Automotive Launches New Fuel Pump Line
LONDON, May 18, 2004 --
TI Automotive is investing more than 10 million pounds this year to launch production of an all-new dual-channel, single-stage (DCSS) fuel pump that provides dramatic improvements in efficiency and performance.
"The new pump will strengthen TI Automotive's position as the auto industry's only supplier of complete fuel systems and will enable us to significantly increase our share of the global market for fuel pumps," said Bill Laule, the company's chief executive officer. "We expect this all-new DCSS line to account for the majority of our fuel-pump production within the next six years."
TI Automotive products are now in use in a majority of the vehicles produced in North America and Europe. The company also manufactures nearly 10-million fuel pumps annually at facilities in Neuss, Germany; Caro, U.S., and Chalons, France.
The DCSS pump will debut on selected 2006-model vehicles with production at TI Automotive facilities in Neuss and Caro. Customers for the new line include two major European automakers, two of the industry's traditional "Big Three" manufacturers and two Asia-Pacific producers.
"We continue to invest in new products and full fuel-system solutions valued by our OEM customers," Laule said. "The acquisition of the Pierburg electric fuel-pump business in 2003, for example, has proven to be an important addition to our fuel-systems group."
Brian Lindsay, managing director, commercial, Global Fuel Systems Group, noted that the new line of fuel pumps coupled with the company's acquisition of Pierburg's electric fuel-pump business unit last year significantly strengthens TI Automotive's ability to design, develop and manufacture complete fuel systems.
The Pierburg brand currently represents more than 10 percent of TI Automotive's worldwide production and gives the company a strong presence in the high-performance aftermarket and original-equipment fuel-pump replacement business as well.
Acquisition of the Pierburg group added annual sales of approximately US$48 million and production facilities in Neuss to TI Automotive's total fuel-systems business. The Pierburg pump lineup also gives the company further access to Europe's diesel market.
TI Automotive is now able to meet a growing demand for high-pressure fuel-delivery systems, especially in the high-end of the European market, according to Lindsay.
TI Automotive's fuel pumps, previously manufactured under the Walbro and Marwal brands, have enjoyed a strong reputation in Europe. The Pierburg link strengthens sales there and provides added sales opportunities globally across the entire TI Automotive pump line, for both original equipment and aftermarket applications. More than 15 percent of the company's fuel-pump production is devoted to the global automotive aftermarket.
TI Automotive supplies every major automotive original equipment manufacturer (OEM) in the world. The fuel systems division provides more than a dozen distinct fuel pumps for both petrol and diesel engines.
The petrol-pump product line makes up 90 percent of the total pump business and includes positive displacement, as well as low-and high-pressure turbine pumps in a variety of in-line or in-tank applications. Diesel applications represent the remaining 10 percent of TI pump production and include low-pressure, electric-turbine pumps as well as gerotor and screw-type pumps.
Many TI Automotive pumps, both petrol and diesel, are designed as part of complete fuel modules that incorporate the fuel tank, fuel lines and pump into a single system.
TI Automotive is the world's leading supplier of fluid storage, transfer and delivery systems including brake, fuel and air conditioning applications. Based in Warren, Michigan, U.S.A., the company employs over 20,000 people at more than 130 facilities in 29 countries on six continents. Further information about TI Automotive is available on the company's website at www.tiautomotive.com .