ATC Drivetrain (“ATC”), a leading independent global remanufacturer of automotive powertrain and drivetrain systems, announced today the acquisition of H.L. Smith Transmissions Ltd, (“HLS”). HLS is a leading UK based independent remanufacturer of heavy-duty commercial vehicle drivetrain and steering systems. HLS operates from an 85,000 square-foot facility with full capability for engineering and remanufacturing of manual and automatic transmissions, drive heads and differentials, power steering boxes and prop shafts.
“ATC’s global depth in electronics and mechatronics combined with HLS’ expertise in commercial vehicle mechanical steering and powertrain systems provides synergies that will strengthen our market position and broaden the scope of our products and services” said Greg Heald, ATC President & CEO. “The transaction with HLS marks ATC’s second acquisition in the UK and fourth acquisition in the past two years as we continue to build out the company’s geographic reach, capabilities and end markets.”
“This acquisition will generate significant opportunities in a new vehicle segment for ATC as we will now service the commercial vehicle market including heavy commercial, public service, buses & coaches, military vehicles & light commercial vehicles,” said George Kostopoulos, ATC Vice President, Global Sales and Marketing. “There are currently more than 12 million commercial vehicles on the road in Europe, with an average age of 13 years which provides a deep market for its remanufactured products.”
Russell Smith, the current owner and son of the founder of HLS, who is retiring following the completion of the transaction, said the acquisition marks a new and exciting phase for HLS. “ATC’s acquisition will allow HLS to continue to grow and provides a secure future for our employees. I’m confident the company is in good hands with the leadership of CEO Greg Heald and his team.”
“We look forward to building on the legacy started by Harold Smith in 1955. HLS has created such a strong brand with both the commercial and military vehicle industries and while Russell may be retiring, the company name will continue” said Adrian Aston, the Managing Director of ATC Drivetrain UK Ltd. “We look forward to expanding our services in new markets and adding HLS to the ATC family.”
ATC is proud to announce that it is launching remanufacturing capabilities for electric vehicle systems at its Oklahoma City, OK facility to serve the North American automotive market and at its Zhangjiang, China facility to serve the Asian automotive market.
These investments will allow ATC to remanufacture batteries and electric drive units for both plug-in hybrid and battery electric vehicles. This move represents the next step in the company’s electrification strategy and builds on the competencies and processes initially developed in ATC’s UK facility.
“As the industry continues the migration towards electrification, it is strategically important for ATC to install the necessary capabilities and capacities to support our OEM customers in all regions of the world for all of their powertrain and drivetrain remanufacturing needs, regardless of technology platform” says ATC President & CEO, Greg Heald.
“With our launch of these competencies in the U.S. and China, we expect to be the first and only independent remanufacturer with global capacities for ICE, hybrid and fully electric vehicle solutions,” says George Kostopoulos, Vice President Global Sales and Marketing at ATC Drivetrain. “Although electrification of vehicles is gaining momentum, it’s important to remember there are still more than a billion internal combustion engine-powered vehicles in the world and their lifespan continues to increase. With the addition of EV capabilities, ATC will become a one-stop global remanufacturing solution provider for powertrain and drivetrain products regardless of the technology powering the vehicle or the region of the world.”
ATC will launch remanufacture of both NiMH and LiON batteries and electric drive units in the 3rd quarter of 2021 in Oklahoma City and 4th quarter of 2021 in Zhangjiang, China.
ATC Drivetrain (“ATC”), a leading independent global remanufacturer of automotive powertrain and drivetrain systems, is pleased to announce that the group of companies acquired in 2019, known collectively as ATP (which included ATP Automotive Transmission Remanufacturing Specialists Limited, A.T.P. Electronic Developments Limited and ATP Holdings USA, LLC) are now rebranded as ATC Drivetrain UK Limited.
“Our growing base of global OEM customers calls for a global brand. Folding ATP into ATC brand name unifies our companies,” said George Kostopoulos, ATC Drivetrain Vice President of Global Sales & Marketing. “Our acquisition of the ATP companies amplified our global presence and solidified us as a global leader in the remanufacturing industry. This rebranding reinforces our direction.”
ATC serves the global automotive industry from its facilities in the USA, United Kingdom and China. The company supports automotive OEMs, IAM distributors and individual consumers by providing remanufactured powertrain and drivetrain solutions, including engines, transmissions and transfer cases.
As the automotive industry continues the migration to electrification, ATC has developed extensive capabilities in remanufacturing systems for hybrid and fully electric vehicles, including batteries and electric drive units.
ATC is ISO9001 and AIAG MMOG/LE, and certified to IATF 16949 and ISO 14001 quality, material and environmental standards. ATC also holds the prestigious Ford Q1 Gold Rating, a rating reserved for the top five percent of qualifying suppliers.
ATC Drivetrain (“ATC”), a leading independent global remanufacturer of automotive powertrain and drivetrain systems, announced today that to better serve the global automotive industry, it has moved its global headquarters to Farmington Hills, Mich., from Oklahoma City, Okla. Greg Heald, ATC Drivetrain President and CEO, made the announcement.
“As we continue to grow and expand our global footprint, product portfolio and the sales channels we serve, it’s important to have a significant presence in one of the world’s main automotive eco-systems,” said Heald. “Metro Detroit provides the added benefit of having direct flights to the world’s automotive centers in Asia and Europe, making travel more efficient. We will continue to have our major U.S. manufacturing facility in Oklahoma City.”
ATC serves the global automotive industry from its facilities in the USA, United Kingdom and China. The company supports automotive OEMs, IAM distributors and individual consumers by providing remanufactured powertrain and drivetrain solutions, including engine, transmissions and transfer cases. As the automotive industry continues its migration to electrification, ATC has developed extensive capabilities in remanufacturing systems for hybrid and fully electric vehicles, including batteries and electric drive units. “Supporting our customers’ requirements for remanufacturing solutions of EV components is critical. Relocating our global headquarters to Metro Detroit will facilitate this customer support and provide access to the required talent”, Heald said.
ATC is ISO9001 and AIAG MMOG/LE, and certified to IATF 16949 and ISO 14001 quality, material and environmental standards. ATC has also been awarded the prestigious Ford Q1 Gold Rating, a rating reserved for the top five percent of qualifying suppliers.
Rodney Traylor grew up on a farm with ten brothers and sisters. He wanted to be a pilot. He served in the Army for 2 years, and then in 1976 at age 19 he applied to Fred Jones and was hired tearing down water pumps with hot oil dripping on his head, for $1.65 per hour.
Forty five years later, Rodney is retiring from ATC Drivetrain (formerly Fred Jones). After he started in water pumps, he tore down heads, then was the head painter, lathe operator and crank grinder, and then he was promoted to the lead person in cranks. He was then promoted to the supervisor on the 2nd floor downtown location for brake shoe and window lifts. Later he went to transmissions where he was promoted to a supervisor. He transferred to engines as a supervisor and was then promoted to a plant manager, the role which he has held for many years.
Rodney talks fondly of when he started, and a lot of memories from the company picnics with the employees and their families. Also in his earliest memories of his career was the onsite cafeteria where he would buy breakfast and hang out with his coworkers.
Reflecting back on 45 years, Rodney says the cleaning process and chemicals have been the thing that has changed the most, while the people are what has changed the least. “We have always had great people,” he stated. He even lists some of his previous managers as personal inspiration to him – Bill Berry, Sean Tate, Debra Shumar and Cathy Walker.
While Rodney feels that he’s missed out on events with his family over the years due to his dedication to work, he now plans on spending time with his four grandchildren and working on some farm equipment.
When asked what he would miss the most, Rodney replied quickly, “the people. I will miss all the people that I’ve worked with over the years. I will miss folks giving me a hard time about being 100 years old.”
Always smiling and often adding a joke or a quick remark, Rodney Traylor’s presence at ATC will be missed greatly.
For the company newsletter announcing Rodney’s welcome to Fred Jones in 1976, click here.
For Rodney’s full interview, click here.
ATC is pleased to announce that Edmundo Meza has started with ATC as a Plant Manager at it’s Engines remanufacturing facility in Oklahoma City.
Before joining ATC, Edmundo developed his automotive expertise with more than 30 years in the automotive industry. Most of those years were at Key Safety Systems where he held several titles including Project Manager, Manufacturing Project Manager, Director Manufacturing Excellence and most recently Plant Manager. In his role of Director of Manufacturing Excellence, Edmundo was instrumental in improving efficiencies and lean initiatives in multiple locations around the world.
Welcome, Edmundo!
ATC is pleased to announce that Tim Whalen has accepted the role of VP Global Operations, and will be based in our corporate headquarters in Farmington Hills, Michigan. In his new role, Tim will be responsible for global manufacturing processes and will be focused on driving excellence in customer satisfaction, quality, delivery and launch.
Tim has over 30 years of experience working in positions of progressively greater responsibility within the field of manufacturing. Prior to joining ATC Drivetrain Tim was the Director of Manufacturing at Navitas, a startup lithium ion battery manufacturer. During Tim’s 30 year career he has worked in safety restraints, wire harness manufacturing, interior decorative trim manufacturing and most recently in the manufacture of lithium ion batteries for the industrial vehicle industry. During his career he has been focused on developing great teams that drive manufacturing standards and best practices through the organization. Tim holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan Technological University.
Welcome, Tim!
ATC is pleased to announce Laura Budweg as a Director of Business Development, North America. Before joining ATC, Laura developed her automotive expertise with more than 24 years at Bosch, including director positions in sales, program management, and engineering in the U.S. and as Global Key Account Director in Germany. Prior to joining Bosch, Laura worked at General Motors Corporation in various capacities, including manufacturing engineering, quality, systems release, and product design engineering.
Welcome, Laura!
ATC is pleased to announce that Brad Boucher has been named General Manager for the North America Independent Aftermarket business unit. Brad provides strategic direction, initiatives, policies, and procedures for ATC’s growth into the IAM. Brad previously served as a Director of Business Development at ATC, and has over 25 years of OES and Aftermarket automotive experience in powertrain and remanufacturing. Prior to joining ATC, Brad was the Director of Engineering and Quality at Alma Products Company.
ATC is pleased to announce that Adrian Aston has been promoted to the position of Managing Director, ATP in the UK. Adrian joined ATP in 1988 and has steadily progressed through various roles with increasing levels of responsibility. Adrian assisted with the launch of ATP’s China operation and then led the operation for two years (1997-1999). He was appointed General Manager ATP UK in 2000. Most recently Adrian served as Technical Director with additional responsibilities for Quality and Health & Safety.
