DETROIT, April 4 /PRNewswire/ -- MANN+HUMMEL, a major global leader in
filtration and supplier of automotive air and fluid management systems and
components, has expanded its product development, testing and manufacturing
operations in North America.
Expanded engineering support in its Portage, Michigan facility will
benefit all of MANN+HUMMEL's North American operations. The enhancements at
Portage are part of the investment that MANN+HUMMEL will make in North America
in the next 3 years, on both product development and manufacturing facilities,
to expand its filtration technology.
The company's Portage plant plays a major role in MANN+HUMMEL's North
American growth strategy. The Portage facility, along with the South Bend
location began production of five new product lines in 2005 and anticipates
six more program launches in 2006 for Ford, DaimlerChrysler, BMW, Nissan and
Toyota.
Growth also is taking place at MANN+HUMMEL's South Bend operation. In
addition to new OEM business, including an air/oil separator manufacturing
line, aftermarket warehouse, distribution, logistics and customer service were
also previously expanded.
A significant part of MANN+HUMMEL's North American growth plan also is
based on its new facilities in Queretaro, Mexico. Dating back to its first
facility in Mexico in 1991, the new plant is part of a commitment to grow the
company's NAFTA presence. The new Queretaro facility enables the company to
increase both OEM and aftermarket activities, with a special focus on
filtration production.
Four new filtration-product programs were launched successfully and a
second filter element production line was completed at the Queretaro, Mexico
plant in 2005. A new filtration product program for Nissan will be launched
in 2006, which will help support the growth of the MANN+HUMMEL Mexico
operations. A new heavy-duty filter element line and a new oil filter element
line are scheduled for completion in 2006.
Expansion of Queretaro's filter element capabilities, including new
technologies and equipment, are planned to support continued leadership and
growth in the filter manufacturing sector into 2007.
Plans are under way for MANN+HUMMEL and the Bosch Group to acquire the
Purolator filter business from ArvinMeritor. The business will be continued
as a 50:50 joint venture company. The acquisition covers all Purolator oil,
air, fuel and cabin filters. The company has around 1,000 associates and is
headquartered in Fayetteville, NC. In 2005, Purolator recorded sales of $267
million.
"For MANN+HUMMEL, Purolator perfectly complements our business in North
America in the OE sector and in the independent aftermarket," says Dr. Dieter
Seipler, CEO of MANN+HUMMEL.
MANN+HUMMEL, development partner and original equipment supplier for the
international automotive industry, now ranks third in sales of plastic
manifolds in the NAFTA region, up from just a 5 percent share and a seventh-
place ranking as recently as three years ago.
The company's sales are on track to meet its North American sales goal of
$200 million by 2008, an increase of 13 percent in each of the next four
years.
"We're encouraged by our continued success in North America," says Claude
Mathieu, president and CEO of MANN+HUMMEL USA, Inc. "The dedicated work force
at our four North American locations has helped us to provide an increasing
variety of high-quality components to North American automakers."
Known for its product innovation and quality, MANN+HUMMEL will exhibit a
variety of new or recently developed and introduced technologies at this
year's SAE World Congress and Exposition (April 3 - 6) at Cobo Center in
Detroit:
* The first North American-manufactured fully plastic oil module, which
was developed in partnership with a European automaker for a 2.5-liter 5-cyl.
gasoline engine.
* A synthetic plastic non-woven fleece oil filter cartridge.
* An HC element for a Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (PZEV) rated air
cleaner system with integrated beauty cover for North American vehicles.
* A secondary air charger developed for exhaust emission control.
* The world's first spindle-less oil centrifuge, that effectively removes
soot from lubricating oil in commercial diesel engines.
* A thermoplastic cylinder head cover module with integrated intake
manifold.
Visit booth #1532 at SAE 2006 to see MANN+HUMMEL's North American product
display.
About MANN+HUMMEL
The MANN+HUMMEL Group is an international company. In 2005, the company
achieved sales of $1.6 billion. The MANN+HUMMEL Group currently employs
around 9,300 people at more than 41 locations worldwide. The company
develops, produces and sells technically complex automotive components such as
air filter systems, intake manifold systems, liquid filter systems and cabin
filters for the automotive industry, and filter elements for vehicle servicing
and repair. For general engineering, process engineering and industrial
manufacturing sectors, the company's product range includes industrial
filters, filter systems, and materials handling systems and equipment.
MANN+HUMMEL's customers come from a large number of sectors, with series
production for the automotive industry occupying a key position. Further
information about MANN+HUMMEL can be found under http://www.mann-hummel.com .
SOURCE MANN+HUMMEL
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Related links:
http://www.mann-hummel.com
CONTACT:
Company Contact - U.S.: Julie Mayuiers of
MANN+HUMMEL USA, Inc., +1-269-329-3903,
julie.mayuiers@mann-hummel.com ; Media Contact: Laura Oliveto of
AutoCom Associates, +1-248-647-8621, loliveto@usautocom.com , for
MANN+HUMMEL
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