TI Fluid Systems: 100 years in the making

100 years. If you take a moment to contemplate how long that really is and how much has changed in the past century, perhaps you’ll be able to acknowledge just how impressive it is for a business to endure for so long. Such durability requires so many understated attributes; innovation, resilience, flexibility, and application, to name a few.

2022 has seen us proudly commemorate our 100-year anniversary. We will celebrate by holding a series of commemorative events across our locations around the world and publishing a limited edition centennial book that takes a deeper dive into our illustrious history.

We’ve experienced our fair share of industry challenges since we were founded as the Harry Bundy Company some 100 years ago, but the aforementioned attributes have stood us in good stead on our journey. From Harry Bundy himself to our current President and CEO, Hans Dieltjens, we’ve been extremely fortunate throughout this journey to have consistently had a team that embodies these values, which today are reflected in all we do.

In the past 100 years, we have been faced with and shaped by five automotive megatrends, all of which have brought with them significant upheaval to the sector and have required an innovative response. The first of these was fuel, second hydraulic braking, third air conditioning, and then emissions reduction. The TI team of today are currently dealing with the fifth and most recent development, the electrification of the vehicle powertrain, and are tackling this with great success. Our Chief Human Resources and Communications Officer, Dom Milicia, noted that: “Electrification is a disruptive change in the automotive industry and will reward companies with an innovative attitude. As leaders in automotive fluid handling, it is a huge opportunity for TI Fluid Systems to adapt our technologies to rise to the challenge.”

Our strategy to maximise this opportunity is called Take the Turn. Under this strategy, we are already enhancing our capacity and capabilities to meet the changing demands of customers all over the world. Take the Turn is made up of three elements: Technology – our focus on vehicle electrification; Transformation – our commitment to a more sustainable business; and Talent – our investment in people and learning.

Over the last 100 years, we’ve endeavoured to build close relationships with our customers, and, as Hans Dieltjens acknowledges, it is these relationships that will see us move forward into the electrified age. “Building strong relationships with our customers is something that we have never compromised on in our 100 years of trading, and this will continue as we enter the next phase of our development as a company.”

Ultimately, the last 100 years have been about building towards the future. While it’s an honour to celebrate a century in business, our thoughts are immediately on gearing up for what comes next. As the curtain comes down on this centenary anniversary, we vow to build on the last 100 years in the next 100 years.

TI Fluid Systems Publishes Its Inaugural Sustainability Report

 

  • TI Fluid Systems’ 2021 Sustainability Report sets out how its Take the Turn strategy supports the group’s sustainability and environmental, social, and governance initiatives
  • Environmental commitments set out in the 2021 Sustainability Report include Scope 1 and 2 CO2e emissions reductions, energy efficiency programs, and water conservation
  • The group’s diversity and inclusion initiatives include gender hiring goals as well as a Women’s Network Mentoring Programme which provides opportunities for women across the global organisation to accelerate their careers
  • The 2021 Sustainability Report is aligned with the Global Reporting Initiative (“GRI”) standard

AUBURN HILLS, Michigan, USA (December 14, 2022) — TI Fluid Systems (TIFS) has today published its 2021 Sustainability Report underscoring its commitment to all aspects of sustainability. The first stand-alone Sustainability Report published by TI Fluid Systems is aligned with the Global Reporting Initiative (“GRI”) standard and clearly sets out the company’s approach to its environmental responsibility and promoting the health and social wellbeing of its employees and the communities it operates in. It also highlights important environmental, social, and governance (ESG) achievements made by the company to date.

Sustainability is a key element of TI Fluid Systems’ Take the Turn strategy (T3) which addresses the risks and opportunities associated with the electrification of the automotive sector and the need to operate its business in a more sustainable manner. Take the Turn is made up of three elements: Technology – focusing on vehicle electrification; Transformation – committing to a more sustainable business; and Talent – investment in people and learning.

Technology

Product development to support the global automotive sector’s shift to electrification is a key element of the Take the Turn Strategy. TI Fluid Systems is capitalising on 100 years of experience in automotive fluid handling and management to develop efficient and economical thermal management systems for its OEM customers’ next generation of battery electric and hybrid vehicles. Since 2020, the company has held the London Stock Exchange’s Green Economy Mark which recognises that it generates 50% or more of its total annual revenue from products that contribute to the global green economy. In 2021, TI Fluid Systems’ lifetime revenue of product bookings for battery electric and hybrid vehicles totaled €1.7 billion.

Transformation

TI Fluid Systems recognises that, while its products contribute to the electrification and decarbonisation of the automotive sector, it must also transform its own business operations to be more sustainable. In 2021, the company committed to a 37.5% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 CO2e emissions by 2039, consistent with the Paris Agreement Well Below 2°C scenario through increased use of renewable electricity together with energy efficiency projects. The company is now considering updated science-based CO2e targets consistent with a 1.5 °C scenario.

The company is also committed to reducing water use and protecting the quality of water in the communities where it operates. It is implementing a strategy to reduce water use and increase water conservation, with a particular focus on areas with water scarcity issues, including a commitment to reduce water use across some plants by up to 25% by 2030.

Transformation also includes improving how TI Fluid Systems engages with local communities through involvement and development. In addition to many local community and charitable projects, the company is in the process of establishing a scholarship programme in several countries to help local female students pursue further education in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).

Talent

The third element of the Take the Turn strategy recognises that TI Fluid Systems’ success is directly linked to its ability to recruit, retain, motivate and develop a diverse and talented workforce. In 2021, it introduced the Fluid Learning online platform, providing all salaried employees access to a range of education and developmental tools.

In 2021 TI Fluid Systems also set up the Women’s Network Mentoring Programme which provides opportunities for women across the organisation to accelerate their careers, while creating meaningful connections with leaders. That same year, its manufacturing facility in Montornès, Spain, received the Lismivo Award which recognises support for diversity in the workforce.

Hans Dieltjens, President and CEO of TI Fluid Systems, said: “Publishing our inaugural Sustainability Report is an important milestone in our journey to becoming a more sustainable business. As well as developing our product portfolio in-line with the industry’s shift to electrification, we are committed to evaluating and improving every aspect of our company to ensure that we operate in the most sustainable and responsible manner possible. Our 2021 Sustainability Report highlights some key achievements that we can be proud of, but we know this is just the beginning. Guided by our Take the Turn strategy, I am confident that our direction of travel is the right one.”

To read the full 2021 Sustainability Report, click here.

About TI Fluid Systems

TI Fluid Systems is a leading global manufacturer of fluid storage, carrying and delivery systems primarily for the light duty automotive market. With nearly 100 years of automotive fluid systems experience, TI Fluid Systems has manufacturing facilities in 104 locations across 29 countries serving all major global OEMs.

For more information, visit www.tifluidsystems.com.