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CLUTCH INDUSTRIES: INNOVATING FOR SUCCESS From OE manufacturer to aftermarket specialist, Clutch Industries has always been an innovator
Clutch Industries says it is proud of its 70-plus year history as a major Australian clutch manufacturer, supplying original equipment for Toyota, Nissan, Ford, GM and Mitsubishi. With the decline in vehicle manufacturing, Clutch Industries pivoted its business to supplying the aftermarket parts market almost 20 years ago. However, it retained its OEM test lab and the majority of their manufacturing equipment. Research and development is a high priority for the company and Clutch Industries has a dedicated R&D division, called Mantic Engineering. Mantic Engineering holds 10 current patents on clutch technology and employs six mechanical engineers in its Melbourne facility. In recent years, the company has invested one million dollars in modernising and increasing its manufacturing capabilities. Part of this investment has included state of the art automation equipment and robotics to increase efficiencies in its Australian manufacturing processes. Another focus of Clutch Industries is to undertake initiatives to increase efficiencies for workshops. These initiatives have included adding installation instructions, spline grease, alignment tools and spigots into its clutch kits. An initiative recently launched was Clutch
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Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine June 2022
Industries’ OEM replacement flywheel program. Traditionally when a clutch kit is replaced, the flywheel must be ground to ensure the surface finish is correct. Clutch Industries has surveyed workshops and found that on average, 4.5 hours of hoist time is wasted due to this process. In addition, the trade price for a grind is on average $70 plus the delivery cost. Financially to workshops this is a massive cost when the cost of the grind, delivery time/cost and lost hoist time is considered. Clutch Industries believes this single mass flywheel range will revolutionise the clutch replacement process by offering a range of OE style replacement flywheels at an affordable price.
Clutch Industries explains that previously, to buy an OE spec replacement flywheel there were very limited options which meant if a replacement flywheel was needed, a workshop would have to purchase a second-hand unit from a wrecker. Generally, the only option to buy new was through an OEM which in most cases is not stocked locally and the price can be several times more than the price of the clutch kit, Clutch Industries explains. “This flywheel range will change the way a clutch replacement is done, in same way as replacement rotors did with brakes,” Clutch Industries Senior Product Manager, David Talbot, said. “Eventually as the range extends, replacing the flywheel will be a common practice for every clutch replacement.”
