GKN Automotive

Happy Thanksgiving to all our colleagues, customers and partners celebrating this holiday. As a day to reflect on what we're grateful for, we'd like to thank you all for your continued role in our shared successes, and hope this period brings you positivity and joy. 

As the global leader in drive systems, we're clear on our role in supporting the decarbonisation of the #automotive industry and the roll-out of more sustainable transport. We’ve committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2045 and as part of this we’re taking steps that include: • Committing 90% of research and development budgets to sustainable innovation;  • Embedding sustainability in our product design; • Setting new sustainability standards for the materials we use; By decarbonising our products through innovation and resource efficiency, we can help our customers reduce their own emissions and enhance the long-term sustainability of our people, business and industry. Find out more about how we're working to drive a cleaner, more sustainable world, here: https://lnkd.in/eF4NZ4ZE #WorldSustainableTransportDay

"As we move to an age of software-defined vehicles, the potential to transform the driving experience and life cycle of a vehicle is significant, by increasing design precision, optimising development and manufacture, and allowing maintenance needs to be predicted." Jens Langrehr, Chief Engineer of Physical Testing, discusses the opportunities for AI models in component development, manufacture and testing. Read the full article with The Engineer UK here: https://lnkd.in/e34GEj_M

Our SX8-Bar-AARi3300 sideshaft is a cutting-edge solution designed to deliver exceptional performance, efficiency, and durability in even the most demanding applications. Featuring a balanced cross-track SX joint, it guarantees optimal efficiency and reliable operation across a wide range of conditions. The low plunge resistance AAR joint further minimises energy loss, ensuring consistent and efficient power transfer throughout its use. Find out more about our innovative sideshaft #technology here: https://lnkd.in/eipJYnca

"It is no longer enough for a business to put its own house in order. Scope 3 reporting means there is a broader responsibility for supply chain emissions. When we're selling a sideshaft to a customer, they're increasingly wanting to know what the carbon footprint of that is. They want to know whether we've done a life cycle assessment of that." Tom Salisbury, Director of Sustainability, recently sat down with Sustainability Magazine, to discuss the importance of product lifecycle management to sustainable manufacturing, from product concept to end-of-life. To find out more, read the full interview here: https://lnkd.in/empqnvy4

Shaoling (Charlie) Qiu of GKN Automotive China, Bryan Shaver, Vice President of Commercial, and Andreas Sehr, Director of Customer Engineering Europe, attended the Europe-China New Energy Vehicle Technology Conference last week, which aimed at fostering collaboration between Europe and China's new energy vehicle (NEV) industries.   We exhibited our market-leading sideshafts and torque management systems, while Charlie Qiu hosted an eDrive session as part of the agenda for day 1.   With an established footprint that supplies to 90% of global OEMs, we’re well positioned to partner with OEMs expanding internationally. Alongside our own rich heritage in developing market-leading technologies, our joint venture, SDS, became the first of its kind in 1988 and today is the number one supplier of driveshafts in China.

We were delighted to host the 32nd Powertrain Forum in Japan this month, providing a unique opportunity for powertrain engineers from all major Japanese OEMs to come together and share ideas for the future of this technology. We presented the latest technologies including AS-LSD and Super-LSD, and hosted a drive event to further explain how these technologies come to life. We look forward to continuing this important event with our Japanese OEM partners in the future.

We’ve been awarded a Gold rating by the globally-recognised independent sustainability assessor, EcoVadis, for the significant progress we’ve made towards our sustainability goals this year, placing us in the top 5% of all 130,000 organisations that took part. This marks an improvement from Silver in 2023 and Bronze in 2022 and recognises a number of milestones we’ve reached in our journey so far, including the approval of our near and long-term carbon emissions reduction targets by the SBTi, as well as our first ever Virtual Power Purchase Agreement.     Dr. Clare Wyatt, Chief People, Communications and Sustainability Officer, commented: “Being a sustainable business is critical to our long-term future, and this improved rating reflects our work to position our business – as well as our customers’ – for this future. Importantly, this assessment further enables us to identify areas for improvement and ensure we’re clear on the steps in reaching our long-term goals.”   Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eEzCHNT4

Meet Shuichi Kozuka, Plant Director at our Tochigi site in Japan. Having worked at GKN Automotive for over 33 years, Shuichi has held multiple different roles from manufacturing and engineering, to programme management and value stream management. During this time, his passions too have transformed, from machinery and tools to the people around him and across the business. See below for five insights from Shuichi about his role...

Festivities got underway across our sites in India last week to celebrate Diwali. In Faridabad and Dharuhera, team members enjoyed a festive meal together, as gifts and dry fruits were exchanged to show appreciation for one another. At our Pune site, a series of festive games and activities brought everyone together, while in Oragadam, the team shared a traditional meal and gathered together to light lamps. We hope all who were celebrating had a joyful Diwali!