Annual Report 2008 in PDF - GKN

GKN OffHighway is a first tier supplier to the world’s leading off-highway vehicle
manufacturers such as Case New Holland. The New Holland series T 7000 tractor
and series FR 9000 forage harvester use wheels, tractor linkages, gearboxes
and power take-off shafts manufactured by GKN. During the year the division
launched SmartFrame 3000, an innovative chassis and suspension system
devised specifically for use on agricultural trailers, including self-loading
trailers and manure spreaders.
Next generation of off-highway hub rolls off the production line
GKN’s Vortex hub represents the next generation of the renowned DIAMANT series hub which
has been designed to combine the performance of steel hubs used in agricultural vehicles with
innovative, technology-led product development.
The Vortex hub, which features an optimised curved
radius, offers a number of advantages including a
lighter and more efficient structure, an increase to
overall torsional stiffness, and increased strength
of the housing and external bearings — the
components typically under the greatest degree
of stress.
In addition to design improvements, the hub is
also capable of more efficient manufacture: the hot
forging process is made easier by the cleaner lines
of the hub, allowing a reduction in raw material use.
The Vortex design is currently being extended
across a range of products in Europe and the US.
Business Review
Automotive
Powder Metallurgy
OffHighway
Aerospace
www.gkn.com 29
Sales*
12%
of total Group sales
£553m
(2007 – £419m)
Trading Profi t*
18%
of total Group
trading profi t
£40m
(2007 – £29m)
* on a management basis