Schrader Electronics awarded major motor contract

Antrim based Schrader Electronics has been awarded a contract to supply tyre pressure monitoring systems to American car company General Motors.

The contract provides for the supply of remote tyre pressure monitoring systems (RTPMS) to future General Motor’s North American light truck production and includes Opel and Fiat production in Europe and Isuzu and Subaru production in Japan for vehicles to be sold into the US market.

The major boost to Schrader Electronics, part of Tomkins Industrial and Automotive Division, will see 200 additional jobs being created, more than doubling Schrader’s workforce in Northern Ireland.

Stephen McClelland, Managing Director of Schrader Electronics, said: “We are very proud to announce the news of this contract. Schrader fought off stiff competition to win the contract and it has reinforced our world leadership position in the market. It is a great reward for the hard work of the team whose future here in Antrim is now firmly secured for many years to come.”

David Newlands, chairman of Tomkins, said: “We are delighted that General Motors has selected Schrader for its light truck platforms. RTPMS is likely to become a standard safety feature in all vehicles during the next few years, not just in the USA where it will be compulsory. We anticipate that Schrader’s leading technology will enable it to retain its market leader position in this significant new growth market.”

The RTPMS allows drivers to monitor their vehicle’s tyre pressures by using electronic sensors attached to the tyre valves to transmit pressure data from each wheel to displays on the dashboard or rear view mirror. Such systems will be compulsory on all cars produced in the USA and are also being made available by car producers across the world. (AMcE)