Engine timing chain supplier iwis eyes growth in China

An interview with Mr. Martin Kohn, general manager of IWIS Engine Systems(Shanghai) Co., Ltd.

Gasgoo.com: Please give us a brief introduction to iwis' recent development in China, such as your production capacity and major customers.

Martin Kohn, general manager of IWIS Engine Systems(Shanghai) Co., Ltd.

Martin Kohn: iwis engine systems (Shanghai), a subsidiary of the German iwis-Group, has officially inaugurated its new plant in Nanhui, Pudong district, on 28th September 2010 and has already started production.

Currently, the new plant has plans for a production capacity of more than a million timing chain systems, including tensioners. We can equip about one million engines with our products.

Our main customers in China are the car manufacturers SAIC, DongFeng, Foton, Geely, Great Wall and also BMW.

Gasgoo.com: What's your understanding of the technical trend of automotive engine timing system?

Martin Kohn: One of the main technical trends of timing drive systems is the reduction of friction losses to fulfil the future requirement concerning fuel consumption reduction. iwis is working in this field very successfully. A reduction of friction losses of up to 50% in timing chain drives is achievable.

A further requirement for timing chain drives is a higher performance regarding fatigue strength and wear resistance. The objective is the idea of downsizing and improving the NVH behaviour. iwis developed several chain types, which fulfil the requirements mentioned above.

Gasgoo.com: What are the characteristics of the automakers' requirements of engine timing chain in China?

Martin Kohn: The objectives are the same around the world. The Chinese R&D departments work on a similar technical level as the European companies. The cars are going to be sold in the markets outside China too, and therefore have to fulfil requirements like Euro 5/Euro 6. Our company experience is that there are no differences in technical and quality requirements by working in projects with Chinese engine developers and manufacturers.

Gasgoo.com: What's your development plan in China? Will you set up R&D center China?

Martin Kohn: China is one of the fastest increasing markets of the world and iwis will be part of this development. In the coming years, our turnover will increase to more than 40 Million USD.

In our new plant in Nanhui, we currently employ 20 people. We plan to increase this number in the coming months and years. In parallel, we have established a customer oriented R&D structure. Together with our Shanghai and Munich based key account management system and a successful working purchasing department, we take care of our Chinese customers.

iwis is playing an increasing and important role in supporting Chinese automakers.

Gasgoo.com: What are the main competitors of iwis in China, and your advantages compared with them? What have you done and will you do to keep these advantages?

Martin Kohn: China is going to be a very important market in the future. No company that is interested in growth for the future can neglect the Chinese market. The situation for iwis is no different.

iwis is the market leader when it comes to timing drive systems based on chains. More than 200 patents related to engine parts are the base of our innovative and customer oriented strengths. Highest quality requirements are our company standard. Our passion is always to fulfil the customer requirements and wishes.

iwis is a family owned German company, having more than 90 years of experience in automotive markets around the world.