Grayson Thermal Systems (
www.graysonts.com), which employs 245 people at its manufacturing and assembly plants in Birmingham, Poland and North America, has sold its 2,500th innovative cooling system for the passenger-vehicle industry.
The company’s E-Drive electric-fan system replaces the conventional hydraulic fan that is used to cool bus and coach engines; it is proving a success with customers looking for reduced operating costs, along with less weight and noise. It is also said to deliver a fuel saving of up to 10%.
Account manager Matthew Hateley said: “We have invested a lot of resources, time and money in the constant development of the E-Drive, and it’s fantastic to see continued growth, with sales coming from the UK and across the world, including France, Poland, Netherlands, North America and New Zealand.
"The additional sales have taken our turnover from £24 million to £26 million this year, and 20 new jobs have been directly created as a result.”
Mr Hateley added: “It’s not difficult to see why the new system is so popular. It covers the three main requests from our clients — outstanding performance, reduced fuel consumption and cost-effective servicing and maintenance. It can be installed at the original-equipment production stage or retrospectively.
"We are now being specified by a host of global manufacturers, as well as vehicle operators specifically requesting the Grayson system on new fleet purchases. Retrofitting of our system is also available for all major European bus models, with each system bespoke to the chassis and engine.”
Established in 1978 by current chairman Graham Hateley as a car-radiator repair business, Grayson Thermal Systems now designs and manufactures bespoke engine-cooling, heating and air-conditioning products. It serves customers in more than 20 countries across the world through its factory in Birmingham and specialist service centre at Elmdon (just off the M42/M6 link).
International business units are already in place in North America and Poland, with further satellite operations due to be opened shortly.