German Auto Parts Supplier To Open Tech Center in Auburn Hills 
  
Kolbenschmidt Pierburg has opened its 60,000 square foot North American Technical Center in Auburn Hills, one of three located around the world that will allow the engineering, design, prototyping and validation of products for both local and global automotive customers.

The Auburn Hills Tech Center will initially house more than 70 engineering, technical, sales and administrative personnel, with plans to increase the number of its employees to more than 150 within the next five years. Kolbenschmidt Pierburg also has centers in Europe and Asia.

“This new Technical Center demonstrates our commitment to serving the needs of automakers and engine manufacturers in North America,” said Peter Sebastian Krause, member of the executive board, Kolbenschmidt Pierburg AG, at a ribbon cutting ceremony held recently at the new facility. “We are witnessing excellent growth in North America because our products are designed to help improve fuel economy and control emissions while enhancing overall engine performance, which are critical issues every car manufacturer is seeking solutions for today. “At the same time, it is also another important step in our plan to enhance our product development capabilities on a global scale,” Krause said. “No longer is it necessary to concentrate design and engineering solely in Europe. We now have the flexibility to fully handle our customers’ needs at the most appropriate location.”

Kolbenschmidt Pierburg’s North American Technical Center is located at 975 S. Opdyke Rd., at the corners of Opdyke Rd. and South Blvd. Housed in the new Technical Center will be five of Kolbenschmidt Pierburg’s six businesses including Pierburg (air management and emission control products), Pierburg Pump Technology (oil, water and vacuum pumps), KS Kolbenschmidt (Karl Schmidt Unisia, pistons), KS Gleitlager (engine bearings and bushings) and KS Aluminium-Technologie (aluminum engine blocks).

“The new center puts us in a unique position to support North American customers with local sourcing of functions such as finite element analysis (FEA), failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA), and product validation, in a more timely, cost-effective manner,” said Krause. “And, by consolidating our operations into this center, we are able to gain synergies among our five divisions with the services we provide customers.”

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