Peace of mind Oetiker

peace of mind

Oetiker is a global leader in high-end connecting solutions designed for the vehicle sector and for industrial applications. The company, continuously investing in product development, is ready to face new market trends.

Oetiker is a family-owned business founded in Horgen, Switzerland by Mr Hans Oetiker, the inventor of the world’s first ear clamp. Since 1942, the company has developed and produced billions of connecting solutions, and today continues to be driven by the same values that have underpinned its success for the last 77 years. With a presence in 31 countries and operating 14 manufacturing facilities, Oetiker has become a trusted, global, long-term partner for the world’s leading OEMs.

Oetiker offers a wide range of ear clamps, multi crimp rings, worm drive clamps, heavy duty V-profile clamps and straps, quick connectors as well as manual assembly tools and electronically controlled assembly tools, to meet customers’ demand for leak-free sealing, space-efficient design and worker-friendly, as well as automated assembly.

“Oetiker provides customers with peace of mind that their mission-critical components are reliably connected,” affirms Andreas Ring, Global Product Marketing Manager. “Oetiker’s expertise ranges from powertrain and drivetrain applications to medical applications and appliances. We offer engineering, prototyping and testing support to quickly create reliable solutions for overcoming any sealing and connecting challenges. We provide a full 360° approach covering connecting solutions, assembly solutions and global customer service.”

In line with trends

The biggest market for Oetiker is the automotive sector, i.e. primarily passenger vehicles followed by commercial and industrial vehicles. Almost all major OEM car producers and the Tier1 suppliers are Oetiker’s customers, some of them for decades.

“Each year, our products reach over 90 million vehicles — almost every vehicle manufactured. The high quality of our products and our readiness to fully meet our customers’ needs are the secrets of our success,” says Andreas Ring.

He points out that new trends such as autonomous vehicles, digitalisation and electrification are reshaping the automotive industry. eMobility, or the development of electric-powered drivetrains, is shifting vehicle design away from combustion engines.

“Oetiker embraces these new developments by continuously inventing new connecting solutions as well as assembly solutions. We are ready to accommodate these emerging trends, applying our wide-ranging experience and deep knowledge of the vehicle industry, we supply the same high-quality connecting solutions for mission-critical applications in eMobility, thus meeting the needs of future transportation.”

Global growth

The company currently operates four production plants in the United States, two in Germany and one in Spain, Sweden, Lithuania, Canada, China and India.

In 2018 Oetiker commissioned a new plant in Poland in response to increasing demand. The 7,500 square metre production and logistics site built in a green field is Oetiker’s first facility in Eastern Europe, set up to better serve customers in this rapidly growing region. Initial focus will be on the production of multi-crimp rings. Designed for cooling and heating and air intake systems in the vehicle powertrain, these rings offer ultimate space-saving, optimum sealing, efficient and reliable installation and resistance to high pressure and expansion.

“We will continue to further invest in the Polish plant with a view to grow the business,” says Mr Ring, explaining that the facility will also house the European assembly and distribution hub for Oetiker’s quick connectors, a solution designed for pressure lines carrying media, and particularly suitable for oil and/or coolant and heating lines to turbochargers, engines, and transmissions.

To further promote its business, Oetiker will be attending several major trade fairs in 2019, including Fastener Fair in Stuttgart. “Furthermore we are focusing on digital marketing by using social networks like facebook or linkedin to directly interact with our customers. We are planning to grow across all current product lines as well as in new areas such as the electric vehicles,” concludes Mr Ring, emphasising that in doing so, the company will follow its underlying principles: always in close proximity to customers, to fulfill it´s customer promise peace of mind. n