| Glow-plug firm Hidria is building
a tech centre in Tolmin, Slovenia to extend its research into cold-starting
diesels. The facility will support the firm’s new role as a strategic
partner to PSA and Ford for EuroV engines.
Hidria signed a €30 million long-term supply agreement with PSA earlier
this year. It supplies Ford’s Otosan Transit plant in Turkey and
has been working closely with PSA’s R&D for some time.
Hidria has around 15 per cent of the glow-plug market. It expects diesels
and emissions restrictions to create further demand and is investing accordingly.
Industrial sales director Iztok Seljak said: “We’re investing
€7 million in the centre and around 8 per cent of turnover goes back
into diesel cold start R&D.”
The centre will be running by the end of the year and will employ 30 engineers.
Hidria expects to recruit a further 20 later.
Hidria’s glow-plugs currently use low-voltage metallic tips. The
firm will introduce ceramic systems. Many of its advances focus on the
production process and help reduce costs. |
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