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Delphi's Italian Operations Provides HVAC Solutions to Komatsu Subsidiary

23 December 1999

Delphi's Italian Operations Provides HVAC Solutions to Komatsu Subsidiary

    LOCKPORT, N.Y., Dec. 23 -- Delphi Automotive Systems'
Harrison Thermal division has won a contract with Fai-Komatsu
(FKI) in Italy and has recently begun supplying heating and air conditioning
systems to the heavy machinery and earth-moving specialist.
    Through Delphi Diavia, the division's Italian operations, Delphi Harrison
Thermal Systems is providing approximately 1,200 heating, ventilation and air
conditioning (HVAC) systems annually to FKI, which has its manufacturing
operations located in Este, Italy.  It is one of several subsidiaries of
Komatsu Ltd., which has manufacturing operations in more than 10 countries
worldwide.
    Additionally, Delphi will supply heating systems, characterized primarily
by the inclusion of a heater core only, to 3,000 FKI-produced units annually
over a five-year period.  Delphi-supplied construction vehicles manufactured
by FKI include loaders and excavators.
    The heating and air conditioning systems are designed and assembled by
Delphi Diavia's Original Equipment Special Applications unit, based in
Molinella, Italy, which, as a complete systems provider, is also responsible
for the supply of refrigeration lines, the unit's accumulator dehydrator and
electrical wiring.
    Several Delphi-manufactured thermal management-related products utilized
by the Molinella plant for its FKI assembly include the parallel flow
condenser and heater core (from Ostrow, Poland) and air conditioning
compressor (Moraine, Ohio, USA).
    "While earth-moving machinery may represent a more smaller-volume market
than mainstream OEM applications, it's one that continues to grow and offer
great opportunities for systems suppliers, especially in the area of air
conditioning," said Roberto Grotti, chief engineer, Delphi Diavia Special
Applications unit.
    Grotti noted that production of heavy equipment (including agricultural
vehicles) will grow 15 percent to nearly 100,000 units this year, with air
conditioning penetration approaching 60 percent.
    "Like all special niche markets, this one requires a certain degree of
flexibility in both the planning and production stages, attributes we capably
offer customers like Komatsu," Grotti said.  He added that demonstrating such
a high degree of flexibility has been a defining factor in the plant's role as
Europe's air conditioning aftermarket leader.
    An example of the Special Applications unit's flexibility is seen in its
maintenance-friendly design of the FKI air conditioning system.  Cleaning and
routine maintenance are key factors optimizing air conditioning performance.
The design of the condenser bracket has been done to allow a deep cleaning
without removing any parts and discharging the system.  The condenser cools
refrigerant vapor to a liquid by rejecting heat to underhood airflow.
    In addition to providing comfort solutions for earth moving machinery and
agricultural manufacturers like Komatsu, Delphi Diavia Special Applications
unit's capabilities are geared to other climate control niche applications
such as sport cars and other low air-conditioning penetration vehicles, as
well as large commercial trucks.
    Delphi Automotive Systems, with headquarters in Troy, Mich., USA, is a
world leader in automotive component and systems technology.  Delphi's three
business sectors -- Dynamics & Propulsion; Safety, Thermal & Electrical
Architecture; and Electronics & Mobile Communications -- provide comprehensive
product solutions to complex customer needs.  Delphi has approximately 201,000
employees and operates 168 wholly owned manufacturing sites, 38 joint
ventures, 51 customer centers and sales offices, and 27 technical centers in
37 countries.  Regional headquarters are located in Paris, Tokyo and Sao
Paulo, Brazil.  Delphi can be found on the Internet at
http://www.delphiauto.com .