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Technology Ahead of Its Time

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Over the last ten years, our product offering has taken huge strides forward.

The shift from steel to plastic tanks in the late 1990s facilitated this progress, and laid the foundations for our current Fuel Tank and Delivery Systems division. One of our unique competitive advantages has been our capacity to provide OEMs with a complete fuel tank system, and this advantage has now been bolstered by new technology.

In 2009, we won an Automotive News PACE award for our Ship in a Bottle (SIB) tank. The SIB fuel tank changed the way plastic fuel tanks were made. By integrating the fuel system components into the tank via a preassembled carrier, we developed the world’s first plastic PZEV fuel tank.

T7 PHEV TankAs revolutionary as our SIB technology was, the 10-inch plastic parison opening that was required meant that it was limited on some applications. So, towards the end of 2013, we showed off our adaptable plastic fuel tank advanced process technology (TAPT) at the tank.tech conference in Munich. The TAPT technology used existing blow molding to separate a pre-formed, blow-molded parison into two halves while a robot inserted the fuel system components into designated areas of the tank assembly. TAPT could operate without size or location limitations.

The first TAPT tank was produced in Rastatt, Germany, and was used by Mercedes-Benz for the 2014 S-Class, a model that is renowned for being a standard-bearer for technology breakthroughs.

TAPT proved to be groundbreaking. It was the first application of our flexible manufacturing process that was designed to solve the integration of components in a traditional powertrain with a complicated saddle-shaped tank. TAPT made it possible to produce multiple types of fuel tanks for all types of powertrain, be it diesel, gasoline, flex-fuel, partial zero-emission vehicles (PZEV), or hybrid. What’s more, this is all possible via a single design blow tooling set.

Importantly, TAPT technology enabled hybrid vehicle manufacturers to accelerate the replacement of steel fuel tanks with plastic ones. Delivering plastic fuel tanks for hybrid-electric vehicles was beginning to set us apart. We were adapting our technology for the future, though even our engineers may not have recognized how quickly those advances would come into play…

Supporting the War Effort

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World War Two saw American businesses of all types working hard to sustain the country’s war effort, and we were no different. The Allied cause was boosted by the entrance of the U.S. into the conflict following the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, and this plunged America’s automotive factories into war production.

Detroit was the heart, soul and nerve centre of the American industrial war effort. The city’s automotive industry in particular was quick to mobilize, ceasing the production of civilian vehicles and instead working on weapons and vehicles of war. In fact, Detroit businesses produced $30 billion in military hardware by 1945, which was a fifth of all World War Two output in the U.S. This didn’t just involve large firms with big factories like us, either; even small tool-and-die shops were involved in turning out jeeps, tanks, troop transport carriers, bombers, ammunition, electronics, and even helmets.

We certainly played our part in the war effort. 367 of our 3,000 employees went into the service, and our entire manufacturing operation had been converted to war production by 1942. Our tubing products were used in more than 5,000 war applications, including oil and gas lines, brake lines and brake lubrication lines for tens of thousands of Allied vehicles. This, however, was only the start. During the war, we grew. Much of the structure of our Warren and Van Dyke plants took root in the war years, with more equipment, more conveyors, and more employees. Even production was flying at a mile a minute.

The war years were busy, very busy. The growth we experienced was a clear demonstration of our success throughout the period, but it was not our greatest success during these times. The hundreds of brave men that fought overseas were not forgotten and treated simply as employees. Instead, they were given reassurances that their jobs were waiting for them upon their return, and they were regularly kept abreast of the latest company news. On top of this, they were greeted personally by the company’s president, Wendell Anderson, and given a $50 recognition check.

Despite the first half of the ‘40s being a tumultuous period for the entire world, we not only survived, but we thrived.

TI Fluid Systems Enrolls in DTE Energy’s MI Green Power Program

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  • TI Fluid Systems has joined DTE Energy’s industry leading voluntary renewable energy program, MIGreenPower
  • The program will enable TI Fluid Systems to purchase 100% renewable electricity for use in all its facilities that are supplied by DTE. DTE’s MIGreenPower uses wind and solar projects to provide renewable power, helping to build Michigan’s sustainable future
  • The move underscores the company’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint, investing in green energy and supporting the communities in which it operates

AUBURN HILLS, Michigan, USA (January 19, 2022) — TI Fluid Systems (TIFS), a leading global supplier of automotive fluid systems technology, has announced its enrollment in DTE Energy’s MIGreenPower Program.

The MIGreenPower initiative is one of the largest voluntary renewable energy programs in the United States. It enables customers of DTE Energy to attribute a greater percentage of their electricity usage to DTE’s wind and solar projects in Michigan, contributing towards a cleaner future for all.

As part of its wider strategy to reduce its global carbon footprint by investing in green energy and other sustainable solutions, TI Fluid Systems has committed to purchasing 100% renewable power for three manufacturing locations, two test centers, and its corporate offices. Its contract with DTE will begin in January 2024, with approximately 19% of its electricity use in North America being attributed to DTE’s renewable energy projects.

Over the course of a year, TI Fluid Systems will use an estimated 22 million kWh of renewable energy under the MIGreenPower initiative. This will have a significant impact on the company’s greenhouse gas emissions – reducing our annual CO2(e) emission by 15,600 metric tonnes which is equivalent to eliminating more than 7.8 million kg (17.2 million pounds) of burned coal.

TI Fluid Systems joins an impressive roster of more than 44,000 residential and 450 business subscribers to MIGreenPower, including prominent automotive players such as Ford Motor Company and General Motors. Since the program’s launch in 2017, MIGreenPower subscribers have supported the transition to clean energy and improving the environment.

Hans Dieltjens, President and CEO of TI Fluid Systems, said, “In addition to the many improvements TI Fluid Systems is making through its lightweight and energy efficient product lines we supply to our automotive customers, we have made a firm commitment to decarbonizing our manufacturing and support business, reducing global greenhouse gas emissions and investing in green energy. Working with a renewable energy pioneer like DTE Energy, we can make significant strides towards our goals in North America, while also supporting community projects in Michigan. I look forward to seeing the positive benefits our enrollment will have in the coming years with all off TI Fluid Systems facilities in Michigan powered 100% by green energy.”

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 107 locations across 28 countries serving all major global OEMs.

For more information, visit www.tifluidsystems.com.

Progression in the Depression

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If the 1920s was a booming period for The Harry Bundy Company and for the automotive sector, the 1930s would offer up a very different proposition. The Wall Street crash of 1929 and the subsequent Great Depression hammered the U.S. car industry. By 1932, sales of new automobiles had fallen 75 percent, and automobile companies had a combined loss of $191 million in 1932 ($3.5 billion in 2021 dollars) or 25 percent of industry revenue.

It would seem untimely, then, that Harry Bundy’s company had been bought by Wendell Anderson mere months before the financial crash. Changing the name to Bundy Tubing Company, Anderson wanted to put his own stamp on the business, but he couldn’t possibly have predicted what was to follow. Of course, neither could he have predicted that his new company would prove capable, time and again, of weathering the toughest of times.

Vital to two industries, Bundy Tubing was spared from the worst of the hard times throughout the 1930s, and that was largely thanks to the advent of Bundyweld. Although Harry Bundy sadly didn’t live long enough to see the full measure of his invention’s success, dying of a heart attack in June 1931, his name would carry huge weight for decades to come.

Despite the setbacks of a financial crisis and the loss of the company’s founder, Bundy Tubing Company continued to make strides. Between 1931 and 1934, it sold 200 million feet of Bundyweld tubing. In response to a growing share in a condensed market, the business needed a larger space to operate from, and so it moved to a more spacious building in 1934.

This change in location was accompanied by other changes within the business. 1936 saw it enter into its first overseas venture – producing tubes in France and England – whilst in 1939, it manufactured its second major product, Electricweld.

Although it was faced with a whole host of challenges throughout the decade, including the rising influence and power of organized labour, Bundy Tubing Company came out of it in a strong position. This is testament to the company that the late Harry Bundy established, and to Wendell Anderson’s ability to pick up where his predecessor left off. The next period, however, was not quite as smooth…

The Roaring Twenties – a history lesson

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The 1920s are synonymous with economic growth and greater mobility. The automobile reigned supreme, causing a mass migration into the suburbs and the rapid construction of all-weather surfaced roads to facilitate this burgeoning mode of travel.

Against such a backdrop, there was perhaps no better time for Harry Bundy to launch the company that would eventually become TI Fluid Systems. He not only had the right product, but he undoubtedly had the right customer, supplying oil and gas lines for the Ford Model T no less.

The company’s journey well and truly roared into life at a small space at Bellevue and Warren in Detroit. Here, Harry Bundy set up a ‘factory’ that was essentially a shop with a garage. With a workforce of 20 employees, Harry and the team went to work, establishing what would become a blueprint for the future of the American automotive industry.

As the decade progressed, so did tubing sales. As the ‘20s hit the halfway mark, these tubes were the auto industry standard, and in 1922 and 1923 alone, Harry had managed to sell 3.5 million of them. By 1926, the company had also made its mark in the refrigeration industry.

The innovation throughout the automotive industry in the 1920s propelled it to new heights, and Harry Bundy was never short of his own original ideas. 1927 saw the business consider introducing steel into production, using the material as an alternative to brass strips to make tubes. After some more Harry Bundy magic, he was selling steel tubes to automakers the following year.

He wasn’t quite done there, however. Harry introduced a process that became regarded as “Bundyweld”, a tubemaking technology that ensured greater fatigue strength and resistance to corrosion, as well as an enhanced ability to handle increasingly complex bending and torsion. The practice became widely recognized and was yet another facet of automotive progression.

Although the ‘Roaring’ aspect of the 1920s didn’t last, it was the perfect backdrop for a small automotive firm to grow into the industry giant that it is today. The hard work and innovation of Harry Bundy and his growing team set the framework for TI Fluid Systems in the 2020s.

The same, but different

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Any business that wants success and longevity needs to keep moving forward and never stand still. As is the case with life in the wild, it becomes a matter of adapting to survive and thrive. Having been operating for 100 years now, it is safe to say that TI Fluid Systems has found the right formula.

No entity exists for 100 years without having experienced hardship, and there have been numerous periods of great difficulty for automotive manufacturers over the last 100 years. We’ve been through the Great Depression, World War II, the twin oil crises of the 1970s, the financial crisis of 2008 and 2009, and the Covid-19 pandemic. Our key to success has been to tweak our approach where necessary, whilst always retaining the core aspects that make us what we are.

Take the 1990s as an example. What was once The Harry Bundy Company was now a critical part of UK conglomerate, TI Group Ltd. Other acquisitions led to other new partners, meaning that there were several voices of influence impacting the company. Things had changed since Harry Bundy started things up all those years before.

This time around, the challenge was how to react to an era of wholesale change. As part of TI’s response, an age-old concept of Harry Bundy’s was rediscovered: customer orientation. In embracing this approach to put the needs of the customer before the needs of the business, we have ensured our place at the forefront of the automotive industry.

As you can see, things have changed throughout TI Fluid Systems over time. Whilst the company’s name has evolved and ownership has changed hands, the business is, at its core, still the same customer-serving business that Harry Bundy started 100 years ago.

TI Fluid Systems to Supply Wide Range of Fluid Products for Global Electric Vehicle Platforms

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AUBURN HILLS, Michigan, USA (November 30, 2021) — TI Fluid Systems (TIFS), a leading global supplier of automotive fluid systems technology, celebrates a growing global portfolio of fluid handling products with Mercedes-Benz AG, a key strategic OEM for the company. TIFS has launched high volume production supply of various products for the global Mercedes-Benz AG programs C-Class, GLC and E-Class hybrid electric vehicles (HEV). TIFS will also supply products for Mercedes-Benz AG’s internal combustion engine (ICE) variants of this same platform.

TIFS has had a long-standing relationship with a supply of products in refrigerant, brake and fuel fluids with Mercedes-Benz AG. In addition to sophisticated brake/fuel bundles and fuel storage delivery tank systems, the new programs represent a significant commitment to add coolant fluid products to the  portfolio for internal combustion engines and hybrid or full electrification applications. The fluid technologies developed for the premium car manufacturer program was a collaborative global effort, specifically with teams in Germany, South Africa and China.

“Supporting the industry from traditional gas and diesel fuel systems to new electrified systems requires capabilities and competencies with all types of fluid handling products and is a key milestone in the execution of our electrification strategy with an important strategic OEM. We celebrate the OEM’s commitment to validate and release TIFS coolant products,” stated Hans Dieltjens, President and CEO.

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 107 locations across 28 countries serving all major global OEMs.

For more information, visit www.tifluidsystems.com.

A Story of Courage and Innovation

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Harry Bundy’s story is one of courage and innovation. For it was courage and innovation that enabled one ambitious man from a small town in Minnesota to put himself on a path to founding a global success story.

Even in the formative years of his career, Harry was driven by a desire to innovate. Working at Diamond Manufacturing and Detroit Steel Products as a young engineer, he saw many of his contemporaries break the mould with their own creations. This helped to fuel and inspire Harry, who harbored big dreams of his own.

Later, in his time at Detroit Steel Products, Harry began to put his experience to the test and develop a creation of his own. His goal? To make a machine that could produce fluid tubing from flat sheet steel for automobile gas and oil lines.

Whilst the tubes Harry Bundy created might seem basic to a modern engineer, he was ahead of his time and his creation was perfect. Perfect in the sense that it couldn’t be improved upon for a long, long time. These tubes could withstand extremely high pressure and high temperatures, as well as bending and vibration. This product has stood the test of time; the tubes have remained virtually unchanged since their creation.

Whilst the product itself is arguably Harry Bundy’s crowning accomplishment, his formation of The Harry Bundy Company – which would one day become TI Fluid Systems – is his legacy. Just like its founder, Harry’s company has constantly looked towards what comes next, right from day one.

From its humble beginnings as a small shop to its current position as a leading global supplier to the world’s largest automotive manufacturers, none of what has been achieved over the last 100 years would have taken place without the courage and ingenuity of Harry Bundy.

TI Fluid Systems Welcomes New CEO and Additions to the Executive Committee

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  • Hans Dieltjens will succeed William L. Kozyra as President and Chief Executive Officer of TI Fluid Systems on 1 October 2021
  • In conjunction with this change, the Company is also expanding its Executive Committee to further its electric vehicle strategy with the appointment of Stephanie Jett as Chief Commercial Officer and Johannes Helmich as Chief Technology Officer
  • Mark Sullivan will succeed Hans Dieltjens as Chief Operating Officer

AUBURN HILLS, Michigan, USA (September 21, 2021) — TI Fluid Systems (TIFS), a leading global supplier of automotive fluid systems technology, has announced three executive level appointments as Hans Dieltjens assumes the role of President and Chief Executive Officer on 1 October 2021.

Hans will succeed William L. Kozyra, who will retire on 1 October 2021 and step down from the Board of Directors. Hans will assume this leadership role at a strategically important time for the Company as it is accelerating its electric vehicle strategy success and reinforcing its position as a leading provider of thermal solutions for the automotive industry.

Hans holds a master’s degree in Electro/Mechanical Engineering with 25 years of automotive experience in Asia, Europe and the Americas. Hans joined TI Fluid Systems in 1996 where he gained broad commercial and operational experience through his divisional leadership positions. Among his successes, Hans led the Global Fuel Tank and Delivery Systems Division in developing and manufacturing products that enhance vehicle performance and safety while exceeding strict emissions regulations to preserve the environment. Earlier this year, Hans was appointed to the role of Chief Operating Officer in preparation for his ultimate succession to President and Chief Executive Officer on 1 October 2021.

TI Fluid Systems is also further expanding its Executive Committee with the appointment of Stephanie Jett as Chief Commercial Officer, Johannes Helmich as Chief Technology Officer and Mark Sullivan as Chief Operating Officer.

Stephanie Jett will join the Company on 1 October 2021 in the role of Chief Commercial Officer and will be based at the Company’s Corporate Headquarters in Auburn Hills, Michigan, USA. Stephanie brings 20 years of automotive industry experience to the position and has worked in various senior level commercial roles at Valeo, Visteon, Metaldyne, and most recently as Global Senior Vice President of Sales for Autoliv. Stephanie will be responsible for sales and commercial activities, which include an increased focus on the Company’s electric vehicle product portfolio.

Johannes Helmich joined the Company on 1 September 2021 as Chief Technology Officer and is based at the Company’s leading technology center in Rastatt, Germany. Johannes will play a crucial role in the design and development of TI Fluid Systems’ product portfolio, with a specific focus on accelerating the Company’s electric vehicle product development as part of its Fluid Evolution strategy. Johannes has more than 25 years of engineering experience, having worked in various high-level executive positions at international Tier 1 automotive suppliers, such as Magna, Brose, Bosch, and Valeo.

Mark Sullivan is also based in Auburn Hills, Michigan, USA, and joined the Company earlier this year from Plastic Omnium Group where he held various positions of increasing responsibility including Global President of their fuel tank business (Inergy) and their plastics exteriors business. During his more than 35 years in the automotive industry, Mark has lived and worked in the United States, France and Germany, bringing with him diverse international experience together with strong operational focus that supports long term business strategies.

“We welcome Stephanie, Johannes and Mark to the team and extend our warmest congratulations to Hans on his promotion to Chief Executive Officer at such an exciting time in our industry,” said Manfred Wennemer, Chair of the Board of Directors. “These important additions to our executive team will further strengthen the Company’s ability to execute our electric vehicle strategy, while also enabling us to deliver on our near-term objectives.”  Manfred continued, “On behalf of the Board of Directors, I wish Bill Kozyra the very best for his retirement and thank him for his more than 13 years of exemplary service to the Company. As well as leading the Company through the global financial crisis into a decade of record performance, Bill was instrumental in developing our electric vehicle strategy. Bill, who will remain connected to the Company in an advisory capacity until the end of the year, has brought TI Fluid Systems to a strong position to continue delivering innovative technology to our automotive customer base, and we are excited for what is to come.”

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 107 locations across 28 countries serving all major global OEMs.

For more information, visit www.tifluidsystems.com.

TI Fluid Systems Supplies Thermal Systems On Jeep® Wrangler 4xe

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AUBURN HILLS, Michigan (July 8, 2021) — TI Fluid Systems (LSE:TIFS), a leading global supplier of automotive fluid systems technology, announced today that it will supply the thermal coolant fluid carrying systems for the new 2021 Jeep® Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid. The most technologically advanced Wrangler ever delivers zero-emission open air driving on- and off-road, with up to 25 miles of electric-only range and nearly 400 miles of total range.

TI Fluid Systems will be supplying EV coolant thermal loops and bundle assemblies that are made of the company’s traditional materials, as well as introducing new TI Fluid Systems developed high temperature rated plastic polymer tubes. The supply of polymer tubes is a very important and innovative step forward in assuring weight reduction and efficiency improvements for electrified vehicles. The fluid handling assemblies transfer the traditional internal combustion engine and cabin comfort coolant to provide additional thermal management for the PHEV battery and electronic controls. This vehicle introduction represents a successful collaboration effort between Stellantis and TI Fluid Systems to introduce optimized lightweight alternatives for thermal management on very demanding sport utility electric vehicle applications.

“We are very proud to grow our electric vehicle product portfolio by supporting the Jeep® Wrangler 4xe and its legendary off-road capabilities,” commented Bill Kozyra, President and CEO of TI Fluid Systems. “Efficient and lightweight thermal systems are critical to supporting the performance and range expectations for enthusiasts who are looking for an environmentally friendly off-road experience.”

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 107 locations across 28 countries serving all major global OEMs.

For more information, visit www.tifluidsystems.com.

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