New plant will be located in the Wuhan Economic and Technological Development Zone
BONN, GERMANY (7 July, 2015) – Kautex Textron GmbH & Co., KG (Kautex), a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, and members of the Administrative Committee of Wuhan Economic and Technological Development Zone (WEDZ) signed an investment agreement in connection with the Kautex automobile engine fuel system project to be located in the WEDZ in China’s Hubei Province.
The collaboration between Kautex and WEDZ paves the way for Kautex to further its presence in the Chinese auto segment. Kautex will produce automotive plastic fuel tanks and other auto components for its global customers operating in the region]. The initial facility is expected to be 3,800 sq. meters with the option to expand to 7,500 sq. meters. Trial production at the facility is anticipated to begin in 2016, with formal production anticipated in 2017.
“We are pleased to enter into this collaboration with WEDZ and to strengthen our relationship with our regional customers,” said Wayne Shen, president, Kautex Asia. “This is an exciting opportunity for Kautex, given the expected growth potential in the region and our ability to produce high quality fuel delivery systems which meet exacting environmental standards.
Kautex will produce plastic fuel tanks for its customers using its NGFS® technology. NGFS serves as an enabler to produce the lowest hydrocarbon (HC) emission fuel tank systems and to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by reducing the weight of the tank and serving as the enabler for light weight plastic hybrid fuel systems.
“The demand for NGFS is driven by our customers’ requests to capitalize on the strengths of the existing technology,” continued Shen. “The emissions from an NGFS® fuel tank are significantly below California’s emission standards of .3g of hydrocarbons per day per car. Our technology will help our customers in China be well-placed to address current and future emissions regulations.”
Founded in 1935, Kautex pioneered plastics processing and blow molding technologies. The company produced its first blow molding machines in 1949 and also began production of blow molded bottles. In 1964, with the success of the first prototype plastic fuel tank, the company entered into the automotive market. Today, the company is located in 16 countries and is a Tier One supplier for numerous automotive OEMs worldwide. The company produces fuel systems, selective catalytic reduction systems, clear vision systems and camshafts for automotive use, and a wide range of industrial packaging.
About Kautex Textron GmbH & Co. KG
Kautex, a subsidiary of Textron Inc., is rated among the Top 100 Automotive Suppliers worldwide. The company is a leading global supplier of plastic fuel tank systems, selective catalytic reduction systems (SCR) and clear vision systems. In addition, the company produces and supplies camshafts and packaging. Headquartered in Bonn, Germany, the company operates 30 plants in 16 countries worldwide.
