Tenneco is expanding its North American emission control engineering center in Grass Lake, MI. The company has invested $13 million to add 30,000-square-feet to the current 110,000-square-foot facility. The expansion will accommodate additional development and testing capabilities to meet the growing demand for advanced emission control technologies.
"We are adding to our state-of-the art technical center in Grass Lake to enhance our capabilities and to continue providing outstanding engineering services and advanced products and technologies to our customers," said Mark Frissora, chairman, chief executive officer and president, Tenneco. "Stricter emission control standards and the growth in the North American diesel market are driving the demand for more emission control content on vehicles. This capital investment will help ensure that Tenneco remains a leader in emission control engineering and advanced technology development."
Tenneco’s North American engineering center serves global OE manufacturers, offering product design, development and testing at the Grass Lake facility. The company’s engineering services include: program engineering; design; after treatment and acoustical development; advanced technology, product and manufacturing engineering; prototyping; testing; and metallurgical, converter after treatment and warranty labs.
The expansion will enhance the company’s sound engineering and emission control capabilities with an upgraded sound quality lab, engine dynamometers and a NVH evaluation lab. Later this year, the company will complete a flow lab, capable of hot and cold conditions, which will be used in developing advanced after treatment solutions. In addition, a new state-of-the-art all-wheel-drive chassis dynamometer was added that will enhance full vehicle acoustic development to accommodate various drivetrains, wheel bases and horse power ratings.
Increasingly stringent emissions regulations globally and growth in the diesel engine market are driving demand for emission control components and systems. As a result, Tenneco is capturing new business and leveraging its global engineering capabilities into new geographical and vehicle markets.
As previously announced, the company will supply three North American OEMs with advanced emission control technologies for light-duty diesel pick-up trucks, beginning in 2007. The company also recently announced its first medium-duty diesel after treatment contract in North America, which will also launch in 2007. The engineering and development work for these programs will be done at the North American Technical Center in Grass Lake.
For more information about Tenneco, go to www.tenneco.com.
