Delphi Automotive Systems, Griffin Radiator Form Motorsports Partnership
16 March 2000
Delphi Automotive Systems, Griffin Radiator Form Motorsports Partnership
LOCKPORT, N.Y., March 16 Delphi Automotive Systems
is teaming up with Griffin Radiator in a move designed to
strengthen both companies' North American motorsports presence.
The partnership, officially formed in February, will equip Delphi
Automotive Systems and Griffin Radiator with the resources, structure and
network necessary to provide leading-edge solutions to the specialized engine-
cooling needs of professional racing teams.
Under this sponsorship agreement, Delphi's Harrison Thermal division will
serve as Griffin Radiator's supplier of heat exchangers for racing
applications. Griffin Radiator will also utilize Delphi's product and design
expertise in various other capacities.
Meanwhile, Griffin Radiator, part of Griffin Thermal Products, will
heighten its pursuit of customers in the motorsports arena, targeting a
variety of competitive circuits.
Based in Piedmont, South Carolina, Griffin Radiator is a leader in the
development and manufacture of custom-made radiators for racing applications.
It currently sells to a number of teams within the Winston Cup, Busch Grand
National, and NASCAR Craftsman Truck circuits. It is also involved with teams
in sprint car, "midget" and drag racing competition, to name a few.
"This new partnership further demonstrates Delphi's commitment to becoming
a leader in providing a variety of key technologies for the diverse
motorsports market," said Raymond Johnson, director of sales and marketing,
Delphi Harrison Thermal Systems.
"Our name has long been known by original equipment manufacturers as among
the world leaders in powertrain cooling solutions," Johnson continued.
"Together with Griffin Thermal's knowledge of -- and relationships within --
the racing community, its long-running history of heat transfer excellence,
and a strong penchant for customer satisfaction, we're confident Delphi-
designed radiators will be helping an increasing number of drivers find
victory lane."
Engineers from Delphi and Griffin will work together to determine the
performance levels the latter needs to meet its customer requirements. Delphi
already has a wide range of motorsports-inspired high-performance radiator
cores designed to meet heat transfer requirements, from two-mile super
speedways to dirt-surfaced short tracks.
"Our partnership with Delphi will not only broaden, but strengthen our
engineering expertise and resources. We now have the unparalleled capacity to
engineer thermal solutions for our customers, no matter how demanding,"
explained Hugh R. "Buddy" Griffin, president of Griffin Thermal Products.
Buddy Griffin formed Griffin Radiator in 1981, after a short-track racing
career that spanned more than 20 years. The company designs and manufactures
aluminum radiators, charge air coolers, and custom-designed thermal transfer
products and systems for racing and specialty aftermarket applications, the
latter tailored to automotive enthusiasts involved in muscle cars, street
rods, and classic automobiles, among others.
Griffin Radiator generated more than $12 million in sales during 1999, and
employs 135 people at its 88,000-square-foot research, design and production
facility in Anderson County, South Carolina.
Delphi Automotive Systems, headquartered in Troy, Mich., USA, is a world
leader in transportation and mobile electronics components and systems
technology. Delphi's three business sectors -- Dynamics & Propulsion; Safety,
Thermal & Electrical Architecture; and Electronics & Mobile Communication --
provide comprehensive product solutions to complex customer needs. Delphi has
approximately 214,200 employees, and operates 178 wholly owned manufacturing
sites, 41 joint ventures, 53 customer centers and sales offices and 27
technical centers in 39 countries. Regional headquarters are located in
Paris, Tokyo and Sao Paulo, Brazil. Delphi can be found on the Internet at
http://www.delphiauto.com .