Modine and International Truck & Engine Celebrate Anniversary

3 October 2000

Modine and International Truck & Engine Corp. Celebrate Ten-Year Anniversary of Heat-Transfer Partnership; Modine Named Among Top Suppliers to International

    RACINE, Wis.--Oct. 2, 2000--Modine Manufacturing Company and International Truck & Engine Corporation have celebrated the tenth anniversary of a business partnership in which Modine provides International with all of the cooling-system heat exchangers for its lines of medium- and heavy-duty trucks.
    When the partnership agreement was signed ten years ago, International went from five different suppliers of heat exchangers to a single supplier -- Modine.
    "When Modine earned the business, we spent the next several years integrating the engine-cooling systems needs for International trucks," explained Charles R. Katzfey, group vice president for Modine. "At first, we supplied radiators and charge-air coolers for all of the medium-duty trucks. Then, we started with a clean slate to design the optimum system for International's line of heavy trucks, starting with the 9200 series," he said.
    Modine developed an integrated engine-cooling module for the 9200, consisting of: a BetaWeld(R) radiator; air-to-air charge-air cooler; air-conditioning condenser; one or two oil coolers, depending on the truck model; and a recirculating shield. It was the first, fully integrated, cooling module made for a heavy-truck.
    "Since the inception of the partnership in 1990, Modine has been fully supportive of International's needs through the use of technology advancements and superior products," states Howard Levy, International's vice president of Purchasing and Supplier Development. "The relationship is built on trust and openness and this has provided the possibility for continuous improvement in products, services, and customer satisfaction. Modine has been able to supply International a systems approach to engine cooling, thus modularity has contributed toward cost and complexity reduction. In addition, Modine has been very active in COMPASS, International's supplier-initiated cost-reduction program. All of these qualities contribute to Modine being considered one of the top three suppliers to International."
    Today, Modine's role at International is one of close cooperation on developing cooling systems for all of the International vehicles -- for today's new models as well as vehicle concepts that are years away.
    Modine now uses line-sequenced delivery to ship its engine-cooling modules to the International assembly plant in the exact sequence of the trucks on the assembly line. "The partnership has allowed us to take our business systems to a new level," explained Katzfey. "As partners, Modine and International not only design and develop innovative cooling systems that meet the precise needs of the next generation of trucks, but also coordinate closely on the build schedules so the systems are provided just-in-time for truck assembly. We've been able to get involved in the strategic planning effort and that has enhanced our ability to become an integral part of operations," he added. "Looking back, we are pleased to celebrate this ten-year milestone anniversary with International. And, looking forward, we express our continued commitment to provide International with superior technical solutions in systems, products, and services," he stated.