Hwang Yu Expands Into Brake Calipers

Leading steering and suspension parts maker consolidates indus

The Hwang Yu Automobile Parts Co., a major supplier of high-quality aftermarket (AM) automotive steering and suspension parts to the world market and Taiwan's leader in the line, kicked off a diversification program in 2009 by expanding into the production of brake calipers.

The company spent more than NT$120 million (US$4 million) to build a new facility near its original factory in central Taiwan's Taichung City and fit it out with fully automated original equipment (OE) caliper makers and testing, measuring, and inspection equipment, as well as self-developed jigs for the production of brake calipers.

In cooperation with Taiwan's Automotive Research & Testing Center (ARTC), Hwang Yu also developed dust-proof rubber boots for calipers, along with testing processes for dust-proofing.

In less than a year the company developed 20 models of calipers, mainly for Japanese cars, which have been displayed at major international auto-parts exhibitions such as Automechanika Frankfurt (the world's largest aftermarket parts fair) and the Auto Parts & Accessories Show (Taipei AMPA) 2011. The company claims that the response was better than expected.

“After intensive road tests,” says S.H. Fong, Hwang Yu's vice president, “we are able to claim that our brake calipers perform better than their OE counterparts in terms of braking force, response, and precision. We want to revolutionize the global AM brake-caliper market by offering calipers cheaper than their OE counterparts, but with better performance.”

The company wants to use its modern integrated production, strong product-development capability, and experienced R&D staff to lead the world in the AM caliper business, developing at least 20 models a year, aimed mainly at Japanese cars at first but gradually diversifying into European makes.

Racing Ahead
The company's next goal is to move into high-end, multiple (four to six) piston racing calipers. “We're confident that Hwang Yu has the ability to produce racing calipers,” the vice president stresses, “because we have R&D, manufacturing, testing and inspection capabilities that are stronger than most makers of such products. We'll target popular models favored by younger enthusiasts, such as the Honda Civic and Ford Focus, and we're confident that the brake caliper business will grow if drivers can get their parts at more affordable prices.”

Hwang Yu was founded in 1972 and is now a TS16949-certified company that offers a product line that includes ball joints, tie rod ends, rack ends, and control arms, in addition to brake calipers.

The firm invests an average of NT$50 million (US$1.7 million) a year in product development. At the end of 2010 its catalogue contained about 4,700 items, including 135 new items developed that year. Around 140 to 150 items are being introduced in 2011.

Gearing up for the European car market, the company developed 35 new control arm models for Mercedes Benz, BMW, Volkswagen, Audi, and Opel in 2010. This year, the number of new models for European cars will top 50.

Most of Hwang Yu's steering parts are marketed globally under the company's own “Three Five” and “Three Star” labels, with the rest being supplied to global brands on an OEM basis. About 40% of the shipments go to the United States, 30%-40% to Latin America, and 10% to Europe.

Hwang Yu has gained ISO 14001 approval, a mark of corporate eco-friendliness—the first company in Taiwan to win this honor.

A testing and inspection lab similar to a lab in a high-tech firm helps the company turn out parts that exceed industry standards. The lab is equipped with top-end equipment such as an advanced microscope and projector; 3D gauges for measuring roundness, surface roughness, and hardness; a computer-servo-controlled material tester; impact tester; fatigue tester; and rotation-tension tester.

The lab's hardware and software were upgraded last year, giving an indication of the company's commitment to maintaining its position at the head of the pack by offering products of the highest quality possible.

Hwang Yu Automobile Parts Co., Ltd.

Office: No. 2, Alley 15, Lane 1, Chungking N. Rd., Sec. 4, Taipei, Taiwan 111

Factory: No. 486, Sec. 1, Zhongyang Rd., Wuqi Dist., Taichung City 435, Taiwan

Tel: 886-2-2812-9311, 2812-7777

Fax: 886-2-2813-2183, 2812-5406

Email: three5.hy@msa.hinet.net

http://www.hwangyu.com