SAN DIEGO, US - Fallbrook’s NuVinci gear hub will for the next five years be produced by MTD Products Inc. This is an American company that produces gearboxes for outdoor power equipment like lawn mowers and utility vehicles. Fallbrook Technologies Inc., owner of all patents for the continuously variable planetary NuVinci gear hub, presented its new production partner at this year’s Taipei Show.
The selection of MTD follows Fallbrooks decision to assume overall responsibility for manufacturing. Fallbrook’s former manufacturing licensee, Aftermarket Technology Corp. ended production mid-March. Also Dirk Spiers, the European representative of Aftermarket Technology Corp. responsible for the introduction and sales of the NuVinci hub to European OEMs, stopped.
Production start-up mid May
Under the new agreement MTD will establish a production line at its facility in Leitchfield, Kentucky in the US. MTD and Fallbrook expect the new production line to be fully operational by the end of the second quarter of 2008. MTD Director Mark Kluck said in Taipei: “Currently we are moving assets and the production start-up is planned for mid-May. The production level will be stepped up according to demand.”
Next to production, MTD will work with Fallbrook’s engineering team to developed new versions of the NuVinci gear hub which is currently used next to bicycles also for Light Electric Vehicles as e-Bikes. MTD will also handle all supplier relationships. However, sales, marketing and customer support will be handled by Fallbrook that has set up a customer support team to answer questions and ensure a smooth transition.
Fallbrook’s President & CEO William G. Klehm said in Taipei: “Aftermarket Technology did great with bringing the NuVinci system to the market. We however, want to go the next step. That’s why we are taking ownership now as we want it to go faster. We are also looking for European employees to take the NuVinci product to where it must be in Europe.”
Caption: MTD Director Mark Kluck and Fallbrook’s President & CEO William G. Klehm. Fallbrook’s NuVinci gear hub will for the next five years be produced by MTD Products Inc.
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