Company profile

The HP Pelzer Group is a German, family owned specialist in the production and development of acoustic and trim parts in various materials. The company supplies most of the OEMs including the DC Group, the BMW Group, the Ford Group, the VW Group, the GM-Fiat Group, the MG/Rover Group, the PSA Group, Porsche, Renault/Nissan, Daewoo, Hyundai, Suzuki, Honda and Toyota.

In the last decade the HP Pelzer Group expanded its global presence significantly by establishing new plants around the world. While acoustics are gaining importance with the development of future vehicles, the focus and the core business of the group is to develop and produce entire acoustically effective systems and parts for the interior and exterior of vehicles by using the most innovative technology and materials.

In recent years, the Group has expanded into the USA and has built facilities in Troy, Port Huron, Kansas City, Thomson and Sterling Heights. The company has also opened plants in lower-cost countries in Latin America, Eastern Europe and Asia. In the late 1990s the company established operations in Brazil (in Taubaté, Rio Grande do Sul, and in Camaçari), three in the Czech Republic (Zatec, Mlada Boleslav and Plzen), one in Poland (Gliwice), three in South Korea (Incheon, Kyong Ju and Kunsan), one in Mexico (Puebla) and two in Turkey (Gebze, Gölcük). In addition, in 1999 the company acquired a plant in Italy (Marano Vicentino) and in 2001 a subsidiary was established in Japan (Kobe City).

In June 2002 the company announced a major investment in a new plant at its site in Zatec (Czech Republic). The HP Pelzer Group will double its production of non-woven textiles and manufacture light foams for new projects with Ford, Porsche and Volkswagen.

New product developments

As a system integrator for various OEMs, the HP Pelzer Group solves acoustic problems by taking a close look to the entire construction of the car and the range of acoustic materials used. The information and knowledge received through these studies allows a precise use of felt and foam and is furthermore supported by virtual methods like SEA.

The main focus is on the development of multi-layer one-material systems made out of felt (HMP). This special construction serves to optimize the acoustic performance with minimized weight and maximized stability (step durability). Also the production of non-combustible light foam (levecell^®) is gaining importance. Furthermore, the development of micro-perforated heat shields (Microsorb^®) in combination with high temperature absorber materials leads to a significant reduction of the exterior and interior noise level.

Concerning contracts, the HP Pelzer Group is the responsible system integrator and delivers acoustic and trim parts for the BMW Group, the Ford Group, VW Group and the GM Group. Furthermore, it develops and supplies carpets, sound insulation and trim parts for all OEMs mentioned in the first paragraph.

Even in tough business environments, the HP Pelzer Group enjoys a steadily growing business volume based on consequently optimised production processes and a further increase of innovative products, that guarantee the strong position of the Group today and in the future.

HP Pelzer Group
HP-chemie Pelzer GmbH
Brauckstrasse 51
58454 Witten
Germany

Tel: +49 2302 668 01
Fax: +49 2302 668 119
Internet: www.pelzer.de

Dr. Gerhard Osenberg
Managing Director Finance and Administration
Helmut Pelzer
Managing Director Operations / R & D
Dieter Löwe
Managing Director Sales, Marketing

27 Plants in Belgium, Brazil, Czech Republic, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Poland, Spain, Turkey, UK, USA
Sales c. €489m (Year to 31.12.02)
Employees 4,800 (2003)

 

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