Flowing success Tristone Group, a globally operating automotive supplier group, is a specialist in tailor-made flow technology solutions used in all major automobile brands. Last year the group reached a new sales record, laying a solid foundation for further growth, further internationalisation and increased R&D efforts. In an interview with Romana Moares, Group CEO Günter Frölich spoke about the latest developments.
T
op quality, reliability and customer-oriented innovation – these are some of the values to which the worldwide success of the Germany-based Tristone Group has been attributed. They are also the basis of continued growth and expansion, as is evidenced from its latest financial results. In 2017, the Tristone Flowtech Group reached an annual turnover of €288 million with over 3000 employees in manufacturing and development locations in Germany, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Turkey, Spain, France, Italy, Mexico, India and China, cementing its leadership worldwide in supplying fluid applications in the areas of engine cooling, battery cooling and turbochargers. “New business award contracts for fluid battery cooling applications for electric and hybrid cars led to €24 million p.a. in sales, or lifetime revenues of about €176.6 million, and are spread among 11 global original equipment manufacturers and one battery manufacturer, with 17 different new future car platforms. Contracts for battery cooling applications accounted for 26 per cent of total business award contracts, demonstrating the strong position of the group in this business field,” said Günter Frölich.
Keeping pace with new developments The group was established as a result of a spin-off of the former Fluid Automotive Business Unit of Trelleborg AB in 2010. In February 2017, the group was purchased by the Chinese Zhongding Group, Ningguo, and will continue to be managed under the same name and corporate structure. 66 Industry Europe
Tristone Flowtech Group is highly specialised in fluid applications in the areas of motor and battery cooling as well as air-charge and air-intake systems. It is increasingly benefiting from the trend towards a reduction of space and fuel consumption with the introduction of polyamid materials as well as the introduction of new powertrain concepts with hybrid and electric cars and the integration of fluid motor and battery cooling systems. “We are a well-established market leader in our field of business, a Tier 1 development partner for more or less all major OEMS, delivering our solutions globally,” confirmed Mr Frölich. “We pride ourselves on delivering added value for our customers and providing them
