Takata to purchase defense safety businesses
Takata Corp. recently entered an agreement for the purchase of the BAE Systems Safety Products Inc. and Schroth Safety Products GmbH businesses from BAE Systems for cash consideration of approximately $32 million. The businesses include operations in Pompano Beach, FL, and Arnsberg, Germany, and employ about 150 people who design and manufacture occupant restraints and safety products used across commercial and defense ground and aerospace platforms. The purchase of the Safety Products and Schroth businesses is expected to close during the first quarter of 2012. Takata’s technology portfolio focuses on safety restraint systems, airbags, safety electronics, interior trim, and special fabrics and textile materials.
SDCmaterials begins field trials for emission control catalysts
SDCmaterials, a Tempe, AZ-based developer of advanced high-performance catalyst materials, has commenced field trials for its Nano-Nano-Micron (NNm) emission control catalyst product. As part of this final phase of pre-production testing, the company’s NNm product will be deployed as the active catalyst ingredient within a critical exhaust system component used on municipal transit buses. This is a joint project between SDCmaterials Inc. and a major European exhaust gas aftertreatment and systems company. The exhaust system components targeted in these field trials rely on high-cost platinum group metals (PGM) to oxidize soot and convert CO and HC into CO2 and water. SDC’s catalysts are produced using a proprietary process that results in a unique nano-scale PGM structure. “The cost and performance benefits of our NNm emission control catalysts have been proven in synthetic gas and vehicle drive-cycle tests with multiple OEMs in various light-duty and heavy-duty emissions control applications,” said Maximilian Biberger, CEO of SDCmaterials Inc. The company has production facilities in Schwarzheide, Germany.
;)
SDCmaterials’ Nano-Nano-Micron catalyst material is said to “substantially reduce” the amount of platinum group metals required to meet stringent emissions control requirements.
Magna Seating expands into bus, light train sectors
Magna International Inc.’s Magna Seating operating unit has acquired the assets and business of Vogelsitze GmbH in Karlsruhe-Stupferich, Germany, a company that specializes in the development and production of seats for the bus and light train industries. Sales for 2011 are expected to be about EUR19 million. The acquisition expands Magna Seating’s global footprint, strengthens its position in the German market, and enhances its product portfolio. Vogelsitze’s current production customers include MAN, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, Bombardier, VDL, and GAZ. The company also has licensed a number of its patents to other bus seat manufacturers worldwide. No additional details regarding the transaction are being disclosed.
Military, motorsports industries collaborate to boost military vehicle performance
The Military Vehicle High Performance Capabilities (MVHPC) project, developed by U.S. Senator Kay R. Hagan (D-NC) to help bring motorsports industry technologies and capabilities to the military’s wheeled vehicle fleets, is managed by the Institute for Defense and Business and IMSolutions LLC, with help from the Marine Corps Systems Command. The North Carolina Department of Commerce and North Carolina Military Foundation are also part of the collaborative effort. “This project provides a valuable link between two of North Carolina’s biggest industries,” Hagan said in a statement. “The motorsports industry is developing cutting-edge technology that can significantly improve the mobility and safety of our military vehicles.” MVHPC partners will evaluate lessons learned and technological solutions developed by the commercial motorsports industry that are potentially beneficial to the U.S. military for possible integration into military vehicles. Several capability demonstrations have already been held, with more to come, linking military commands with motorsports companies. One goal of these demos is to facilitate interest in the motorsports sector to diversify their business to include military vehicle systems and contracting opportunities.
Continental and SK Innovation team on lithium-ion batteries
As part of the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, officials of SK Innovation and Continental Corp. on Jan. 10 signed an agreement to form a joint venture in lithium-ion batteries. The JV will develop, manufacture, and market the batteries globally. SK will supply Li-ion cells to the JV while Continental will supply battery-management electronics and its overall automotive systems competence. SK Innovation will have 51% ownership, Continental 49%. Initial operations will be based in Germany and Korea. The management team will be composed of executives from both companies, and the JV is subject to the completion of additional agreements, which are expected to be achieved by mid-2012.
;)
A worker performs cell testing at SK Innovation.
EU proposes lower vehicle noise limits
The European Commission have recently published a new draft regulation on motor vehicle sound levels, according to InterRegs, an online resource for global vehicle safety and emissions regulations. In addition to limiting noise levels, the proposal would establish a new procedure for measuring noise emissions and new requirements on the minimum sound generated by electric and hybrid-electric vehicles. The reduced noise limits would be implemented in two phases. In the first phase, applicable two years after the publication of the regulation, the noise limits applicable to heavy trucks would be reduced by 1 dB (A) to between 77 and 82 dB (A), dependent on engine power and drive configuration. The noise limits applicable to other types of vehicles would be reduced by 2 dB (A) to between 70 and 79 dB (A), dependent on vehicle type, GVWR, engine power, and drive configuration. In the second phase, applicable five years after the publication, the noise limits would be reduced by a further 2 dB (A) for all vehicle types.
- Share:
