Modine Named Development Partner for Successor of BMW Z3 Roadster

1 March 2000

Modine Named Development Partner for Successor of BMW Z3 Roadster

    RACINE, Wis.--Feb. 29, 2000--Modine Manufacturing Company has been named development partner for the successor of the BMW Z3 roadster. As development partner, Modine will provide BMW with expertise in engine-cooling technology while the firms work together to optimize the design of the new roadster, which will be produced in Spartanburg, South Carolina, U.S.A.
    Modine has been a supplier to BMW for more than 20 years and currently supplies engine-cooling modules (assemblies of heat-transfer components including the radiator, air-conditioning condenser, oil coolers, and related parts) for cars in the BMW 3-series, and cooling cassettes (sub-assemblies of all heat-transfer components with the exception of the radiator) for cars in the BMW 5-series and BMW 7-series.
    "BMW's decision to select Modine as engine-cooling system development supplier for the new Z3 is a vote of confidence in our ability to assist our customers with product development," said James R. Rulseh, managing director of Modine Europe Automotive GmbH of Pliezhausen, Germany. "Early involvement in the planning for this new vehicle will give us the opportunity to suggest new ideas and new technologies for the cooling system that can help enhance the performance of the engine and the vehicle." he added.
    Several Modine plants will be involved in the development of the engine-cooling system. The aluminum radiator will be made in Pliezhausen, Germany; the PF(R) air-conditioning condenser will be made at Modine Austria in Berndorf, Austria; the transmission oil cooler will be made in Uden, The Netherlands. The heat exchangers will be shipped to Modine Montage in Wackersdorf, Germany, where the final assembly of the engine-cooling module will take place and deliveries will be arranged.
    One of the factors influencing BMW's selection of Modine as development partner was Modine's investment of DM95 (U.S. $46.9 million) in a European Technical Center in Bonlanden, Germany. The Bonlanden Technical Center will be focused on the development of heating and cooling technology, with laboratories specializing in the areas of heat-transfer testing, durability testing, and systems development. It will include a vehicular wind tunnel capable of simulating environments ranging from -22 degrees F. to 131 degrees F. with full spectrum solar simulation. Two years ago, Modine constructed a similar Technical Center at its corporate headquarters in Racine, Wisconsin, U.S.A.
    The Bonlanden Technical Center broke ground in June 1999 and is progressing rapidly, according to Rulseh. The building should be ready for occupancy in Fall 2000.

    Modine is a world leader at solving heating and cooling problems in vehicles, buildings, and off-highway and industrial equipment. Modine has annualized sales of more than $1 billion and has 8,500 employees worldwide with about 2,300 in Europe. Modine can be found on the Internet at www.modine.com.