KA’s full spectrum of R&D capabilities span across driveline systems, interior systems, power products systems, and actuations systems and supports all areas of the business in all regions.
KA’s broad engineering and product development skills include:
- Electrical, electro-mechanical, and hydraulic capabilities
- Complete systems competence in all areas of our business.
- Cutting edge global capabilities of research development engineering skills.
KA recently consolidated R & D with centers of expertise with broader and more international R&D capabilities than most of our competitors. Consequently, KA benefits from economies of scale in the regional centers of excellence while maintaining the full range of R&D capabilities in North America, Europe and Asia. This positions KA well to be a preferred partner, as OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers increasingly outsource their R&D and engineering.
KA is committed to maintaining its technological leadership position. New product
developments are driven by a number of factors such as customer demand (e.g. lumbar systems for comfort), technological developments (e.g. new materials in fluids management) or changing regulation (i.e., to comply with improved air quality and fuel efficiency laws). KA has a sophisticated understanding of Engineering 46 all these drivers and often anticipates solutions ahead of the market’s need. This is the case particularly in industrial markets where KA leverages its automotive technology to develop new industrial products.
KA’s history of innovation and speed-to-market are significant sources of differentiation. The Company has created innovation committees across its segments. These are comprised of members from different departments who cooperate with a number of universities including the University of Michigan (USA), Rice University (USA), and Aston University (UK). The Technology Council screens the ideas generated by the committees and directs investments towards high-potential opportunities.