9 Aug 2006
Denver, Colorado -- Gates Corp. and Winhere Auto-Part Manufacturing Co. Ltd. have formed a joint venture to manufacture and market water pumps for automotive applications globally.
The new company, with a proposed name of Gates Winhere Automotive Pump Products (Yantai) Co. Ltd., will allow Gates to increase its product coverage of replacement water pumps for automotive passenger cars, lights trucks and heavy-duty vehicles, the company said.
Production is expected to begin in the fourth quarter.
Manufacturing operations will be headquartered at an existing Winhere facility in the coastal city of Yantai, China.
Mike Smith of Gates has been named president of the venture, and William Lee, Winhere's water pump general manager, will retain his current title and responsibilities in the new firm.
Smith said the new company will internalise supply of an important component for existing Gates automotive customers and further enhance Gates cooling system leadership.
The transaction is subject to Chinese regulatory approvals.
From Rubber & Plastics News (A Crain publication)
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