Auto components firm set for new product launch after £4m investment
A WEST Midlands manufacturer specialising in supplying to the automotive industry has selected a major trade event in Birmingham to launch its innovative new product.
The Autins Group specialises in automotive insulation and is holding the European launch of its new lightweight insulation material, Neptune, at the Automechanika expo at the NEC between June 7-9.
Set up in 1966, the Autins Group made parts for the original Mini. The group comprises Automotive Insulations in Rugby, Scandins in Sweden, Rheinland Insulations in Germany and Solar Nonwovens in Tamworth – the manufacturer of Neptune.
The group, which has invested £4m in the development of the new product, including a large new facility in Birch Coppice, close to Tamworth, supplies thermal and acoustic components to the domestic and European car industry. Clients include the VW Group, Bentley, Porsche and Jaguar Land Rover.
Neptune is a patented, ultra-fine, lightweight performance fibre and Autins is the sole UK and European manufacturer and distributor of the new material.
Developed using new technology from Korea, Neptune is made from a unique blend of polyester and polypropylene fibres in a range of weights. Stable at temperatures of up to 120°C, the material offers full acoustic qualities combined with a lighter weight.
The latter will be critical to the product’s success as manufacturers look to reduce the weight of their cars by whatever means they can.
Autins has said Neptune is also suitable for use in a variety of applications in the marine, rail and agriculture industries.
Group CEO Jim Griffin said: “Neptune is a real game changer for the automotive industry so Automechanika seemed the ideal place for a high profile European launch.
“We have invested a lot of time and effort in the design of our stand as we want as many people as possible to see the product up close for themselves. We are confident that they will be impressed.”
The Autins stand at the show will include the company’s full size demonstration Mini which has been upgraded to include parts made from Neptune.
The Autins group has also recently set up an R&D facility at MIRA Technology Park in Warwickshire to enable the company to offer commercial materials testing to companies from a range of industries, including automotive.
