BHTC Prepares Production For Major Vehicle Manufacturer

PLYMOUTH, Mich., July 24 -- Behr-Hella Thermocontrol Inc. (BHTC), a joint-venture company between tier one automotive suppliers Behr and Hella, is launching two new products this summer: a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) controller for heavy-duty trucks and its passenger-car solar sensor on all global applications for a major original equipment manufacturer (OEM).

The class 8 truck HVAC controller and user interface for the cab's sleeping bunk area will begin production later this year, providing a significant upgrade in comfort and styling for the OEM's customers. This application is part of an overall system solution developed by Behr, one of BHTC's parents.

The new solar sensor is part of BHTC's HVAC portfolio which includes a variety of sensors, HVAC and power electronics equipment. The sensor detects the amount of thermal radiation that a vehicle is exposed to, allowing the HVAC's control system to better regulate the vehicle's interior temperature.

"The launch of these two new products is a significant milestone for our growing company and has resulted in a nearly seven-fold increase in our staff at the BHTC Center of Expertise in Plymouth, Mich.," says Joseph Schuck, BHTC general manager. "Since 2003, we have grown from three employees to 20 in our design, manufacturing, purchasing and sales offices. Based on new project awards, sales will increase by 30 percent during the next few years."

Since BHTC opened its Plymouth center three years ago, it has established itself as a highly-respected HVAC control and sensor supplier in the North American market. The company already produces a variety of high-line controls for the G-, M- and R-Class vehicles of Mercedes-Benz, along with front and rear controls for Freightliner.

BHTC uses a number of tools in its development process, including hardware-in-the-loop (HIL), human-machine interface (HMI) modeling and multiple computer-aided design (CAD) formats. As a world-class supplier, BHTC has been recognized by a number of OEMs for its employees' skills and services.

"BHTC benefits from the resources and business advantages of its Hella and Behr parents to achieve a commercial and competitive edge," Schuck said. "The BHTC Group also has expanded its footprint into China and India with production already underway in both of these markets."

Behr-Hella Thermocontrol (BHTC) is a leading designer and manufacturer of automotive electronic controllers and operating units for heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. A joint-venture company, it was founded in June 1999 by Behr GmbH & Co., which brought its engine cooling and vehicle climate control expertise to the venture, while Hella KGaA Hueck & Co. contributed its experience in vehicle electronics and control technology.

Headquartered in Lippstadt, Germany, the joint-venture created Behr-Hella Thermocontrol Inc. in January 2003 to service its North American customers.