New product introduction techniques and company wide quality systems ensure products are delivered to meet build schedules. All employees share a commitment in support of GKN Wheels' pursuit of business excellence through lean manufacturing, visual management and mission-directed work teams.
GKN Wheels aims to design and develop wheels to enhance performance in any application. Wheels must meet the requirements of the customer and application without adding unnecessary weight, which adds costs in terms of higher fuel consumption or reduced payloads. Before starting any new design (within parameters laid down by the customer), data is collected on the likely stress, load factors, mileage and applications of the wheel.
This data can then be used to drive advanced analytical models to develop high quality solutions in the virtual world, before committing to manufacture physical parts.
A rigorous test programme will confirm its reliability and suitability, whatever the load or however hostile the environment. Wheels are tested to destruction, with their deterioration at various stages analysed to refine GKN's knowledge and understanding.
Working in partnerships with Universities and industry-wide bodies, GKN Wheels ensures its new product introduction programmes operates efficiently to the highest standard of available technology.