Innovative product creates sales and jobs for Birmingham component firm

A BIRMINGHAM automotive component supplier has seen an increase in turnover and workforce following the success of its innovative cooling systems.

Grayson Thermal Systems, which employs 245 people at its manufacturing and assembly plants in Birmingham, Poland and North America, has sold nearly £7m of its ‘E-Drive’ technology since it was first introduced.

Additional sales of the system have seen sales grow by more than £2m, with 20 new jobs being created to meet demand.

The electric fan system replaces the conventional hydraulic fan used to cool bus and coach engines. The component, which claims a fuel saving of up to 10%, has found a niche with manufacturers around the globe, particularly those looking for reduced operating costs, weight and noise on their vehicles.

Established in 1978 by current chairman Graham Hateley as a small car radiator repair business, Grayson Thermal Systems is now considered a world leader in the design, manufacture and supply of bespoke engine cooling, heating and air conditioning products.

It serves customers in more than 20 countries across the world from its factory in Birmingham and a specialist service centre at Elmdon.

International business units are already in place in North America and Poland, with further satellite operations due to be opened shortly.

Matthew Hateley, account manager at Grayson Thermal Systems, said: “We have invested a lot of resource, time and money on the constant development of ‘E-Drive’ and it’s fantastic to see continued growth, with sales coming from the UK and across the world, including France, Poland, Netherlands, North America and New Zealand.

“The additional sales have contributed significantly to us taking turnover from £24m to £26m this year and 20 new jobs have been directly created as a result.”

He said the system’s popularity could be attributed to its performance, fuel consumption reductions and cost effective maintenance. It is proving especially popular for vehicle fleets. The company has sold 2,500 of the systems.

The ‘E-Drive’, which is fast replacing traditional hydraulic/viscous fans used in transit bus vehicles across the world, works by using a series of electric fans to provide better air flow over the radiator and charge air cooler.