Kautex Textron GmbH & Co. KG Business Report FY ended Dec. 2017

Recent Years

Financial Overview

-The Company’s sales for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 increased by 9.4% to USD 2,273 million. The increase in sales was primarily due to improved demand in from the automotive industry in Europe.

Acquisitions

-In July 2005, a Company subsidiary acquired the 35% minority interest in its Kautex Textron Keylex (KTK) joint venture from its venture partner Keylex of Japan, increasing its stake in the operation to 100%. This move enables the Company to accelerate launch times and to better compete and expand business in Japan. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. KTK was founded in 2001 and supplies advanced fuel system technologies that fulfill the country's stringent emission requirements. Producing more than 600,000 fuel systems per year, KTK employs approximately 130 people at its Hiroshima facilities.

Recent Developments

-In June 2015, the Company began production of its all-plastic pressurized fuel tank for hybrid vehicles.

Contracts

-In 2016, Ford announced that it would use the Company’s SCR systems for its Mondeo, Kuga and Focus models in Europe. With the new contract, the Company supplies all of Ford’s Gen 3 models in Europe with SCR tanks and fillers.

-In 2016, BMW announced that it would the Company’s fuel tanks for its 1 Series models globally beginning in 2019. The Company supplies components for all vehicles on BMW’s UKL platform, which includes the 1 Series, 2 Series, X1, X2 and Mini series.

-In 2012, the Company was awarded several contracts to produce fuel systems for brands including Audi, BMW and Jaguar.

-In 2011, the Company won a contract to produce 550,000 fuel tanks annually for GM's Chevrolet and Buick models.

-In 2011, the Company was awarded a supply agreement with BMW to provide 400,000 fuel tanks.

-In 2009, the Company's newer technology fuel systems meeting stricter emission and cost-efficiency performance standards won a Ford contract over the next five years.

-In 2007, the Company announced it had received the first production order for fuel systems using its new next-generation fuel system manufacturing process, which is designed to reduce emissions from fuel systems and lower manufacturing costs.

-In 2004, the Company won a major French OEM contract, closing a gap in its global operations.

Awards

-At Ford’s 18th annual World Excellence Awards, the Company was awarded a Green World Excellence from the automaker, representing the Company’s dedication to the manufacturing of products that contribute to a sustainable environment. (From a press release on May 20, 2016)

-In June 2015, the Company’s joint venture with Unipart Manufacturing received the Jaguar Land Rover Quality Award for excellent supplier performance. The award was given to the joint venture for its plastic fuel tanks provided on current Jaguar and Land Rover models. (From a press release on June 15, 2015)

Product Development

Products displayed at IAA Frankfurt
-At IAA 2015 in Frankfurt, Germany, the Company showcased several of its key products, including its new all-plastic, pressurized hybrid fuel tank. As the industry’s first all-plastic tank, the system uses the Company’s twin sheet technology and has stiffening elements to withstand pressure and vacuum requirements for hybrid applications. The tank has a usable volume of 50 liters, a weight of approximately 19 kg, and a pressure resistance range of -150 mbar to 350 mbar. The Company also highlighted its Next Generation Carbon Canister (NGCC), which has a unique design to enhance its loading and purging performance and reduce emissions. (From a press release on September 14, 2015)

-The Company's range of innovative products and production techniques include the following:

  • Next-Generation active Carbon Canisters (NGCC) for equipping gas tank systems to reduce emission levels
  • Tank systems optimized for vacuums and overpressure scenarios for storing fuel under extreme operating conditions in hybrid vehicles
  • Anticipatory developments of tank systems for vehicles with alternative propulsion systems

Next Generation Fuel System (NGFS)
-The Company's NGFS offers the ability to integrate all components and new functionality inside a fuel tank. With more freedom in construction, NGFS offers more flexibility, and also other advantages. The emissions from a NGFS fuel tank system are significantly below the California regulation emission standards of 0.35g/24h hydrocarbons per day and car.

Investment Activities

-In 2012, the Company added production, development and validation centers in China, Europe and North America.

-In 2011, the Company saw growing demand for its Selective Catalytic Reduction Systems used to reduce emissions from diesel engines. In order to capitalize on increased global demand, the Company announced plans for new plants in Asia, Europe and North America.

Investments outside Germany


-The Company celebrated its 20th anniversary of Kautex (Changchun) Plastic Technology Co., Ltd. in Changchun, China while also hosting a grand opening ceremony of its newest facility in the Changchun Economic and Technological Development Zone. The new facility will manufacture fuel systems featuring the Company’s NGFS twin sheet technology, which helps reduce emissions and weight of fuel systems. In addition, the Company intends to relocate their existing conventional blow molding machines to the new facility in 2017. (From a press release on April 11, 2016)

-The Company began construction on a new plant in the Wuhan Economic & Technological Development Zone on October 28, 2015. The plant will be the Company's fifth production base in China after those in Changchun, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Chongqing. The Company is investing approximately CNY 100 million in the first phase of this project. Production is scheduled to begin in 2017. The plant is expected to have a yearly output worth CNY 500 million. The plant will produce next-generation plastic fuel tanks for automakers in Wuhan, Xiangyang, Changsha, Zhengzhou, and other cities in central China and will initially supply components for SAIC GM's new SUV that will be assembled at the automaker's Wuhan Plant. (From news releases issued by multiple sources on October 30, 2015)