Eisenmann Corporation founded the subsidiary Telos Global, headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee. The German based plant engineering experts have established the company to serve the American market for lightweight construction in car making and automotive systems, especially hot-stamped steel. Telos Global, includes a number of specialist partners with comprehensive production and process expertise in manufacturing and processing of press hardened steel parts. The new US facility includes a center for die casting and a complete production-scale pilot plant.
Axel Weiand, who is joining Telos Global Management from Eisenmann along with Rick Teague, sees the move as the logical next step toward gaining early access to the growing American market for press-hardened steel, particularly in the automotive industry. "The growing importance of lightweight construction is giving the market a strong tailwind, but there are few companies serving it. We believe that our extensive, proven experience with manufacturing scenarios gives us a distinct competitive advantage. And we advise our customers not just on the hot stamping systems themselves, but also on the development of the corresponding components. This sets us apart from our rivals."
The new company, which will employ about 40 people, is expected to commence production in the first quarter of 2017. Its team will support all phases of the value chain – consulting, planning, engineering, manufacturing and aftersales service. They will work directly with customers to develop specifications for complete hot stamping solutions.
This involves the developing of die casts and building prototypes for various structural components, which are then scaled up to pre-production volumes. Telos Global and Eisenmann work with top-of-the-line partners to deliver turnkey press-hardening systems. The test line at Telos Global features furnaces from Eisenmann, presses from Macrodyne, headquartered in Canada, and handling systems from Strothmann, based in Germany.
Rick Teague, Telos shareholder, predicts the start-up will enjoy strong growth: "The long-term trend towards ever-greater weight reduction in cars is driving the need for production capacity. In view of market development, by 2020, we will require around 200 complete production lines to meet growing demand. Our goal is to be one of the three leading suppliers of hot stamping plants by 2018."
The test line allows customers to ramp up production for new components seamlessly and swiftly, increasing the efficiency of existing lines. Telos will supply entire hot stamp production lines, and will commission them on-site.
The enterprise also offers training and transfer of manufacturing-related knowledge, including production optimization. Telos Global occupies a campus of over five hectares near Knoxville, Tennessee. The production hall has around 17,000 square meters of floor space, and offices account for approximately 1,600 square meters.
For further information: www.eisenmann.com