SC October2011.pdf - Parts & People

Engineering innovations keep KYB shocks and struts ahead of the curve
by Dick DeLoach
Addison, Ill.—The mission of KYB, a
supplier of shocks and struts for automakers
and the aftermarket, is to use its skills,
technology, and
human resources
to develop
products designed
to create a safer,
more efficient, and
more comfortable
society in the spirit
of “monozukuri,”
said William
William “Mac”
McGovern, KYB
director of marketing
and training, says the
company achieved
double-digit growth
in 2010 and that the
momentum is
continuing this year.
“Mac” McGovern,
director of
marketing and
training.
“Literally
translated, the
Japanese word
monozukuri means
the process of
making or creating,” McGovern said.
“Monozukuri’s full meaning embodies
craftsmanship, self-discipline, and
creativity.”
McGovern said it is an art, rather than a
science, requiring excellence and skill. “It is
this philosophy that serves as the
foundation of KYB’s motto: ‘Our Precision,
Your Advantage.’”
KYB began as Kayaba Research Center,
founded in Japan in 1919 by Shiro Kayaba,
McGovern said, establishing itself in the
manufacturing of hydraulic dampers.
“In 1974, a sales subsidiary was
established in the United States,” he said.
“Today, the company is known as KYB
America LLC, with 15 production plants in
Asia, Europe, and the United States.”
Last November, KYB launched a brand
identity campaign to help purchasers better
understand its products, called Original
Equipment for the Aftermarket (OEA),
McGovern said. “Often, a buyer doesn’t
know that there are significant differences
between replacement product brands,” he
said. “Some are strictly aftermarket and will
modify or even reduce a vehicle’s designed
performance.”
McGovern said dealership shocks and
struts are calibrated at OE specs, but when
an OE part is installed on a used vehicle
that has other wear it can’t restore
performance.
“KYB builds its aftermarket shocks and
struts on their OE assembly lines using the
same OE quality components, but then
calibrates them to help restore designed
performance — not change it,” he said.
“That makes KYB’s OEA ‘better than OE’
for used vehicles.”
McGovern said KYB’s commitment to
engineering innovation and manufacturing
excellence has helped the company become
the world’s largest supplier of shocks and
struts for new and used vehicles.
“Nearly one in every four autos built
comes with KYB shocks and struts,” he
said. “KYB earned double-digit growth in
2010, and the momentum is continuing this
year.”
Some of the biggest gains are in strut
sales compared to shocks, McGovern said.
“The percentage of strut-equipped vehicles
in service bays that are candidates for ridecontrol
service is rising rapidly.”
Strut replacement costs more than shock
replacement, McGovern said, so smart
buyers are more interested in premium
replacement parts. “KYB only offers OEM
or above quality and performance, which is
one of the key reasons for our growth and
market share increases.”
KYB provides ongoing training for its
parts and service customers on product
features and benefits, he said, which is
important but alone won’t increase
incremental sales.
Continued on page 8
INDUSTRY STANDARDS?
WE HIT THEM
In the past year KYB has added hundreds
of new part numbers for specific import
and domestic applications.
MANY TIMES OVER!
Discussion about “Industry Standards” is so ambiguous - what is the industry standard for
quality? In a world of the alphabet soup of standardization codes and criteria, how are engine
builders to know what it all means? Who can they trust? The answer is simple - trust the
brands that have stood the test of time and are synonymous with quality. The reputation of
these brands is behind every product in the MAHLE Clevite family. Trusting anything else is like
throwing darts with a blindfold on.. www.mahleclevite.com
Victor Reinz and the Victor Reinz trademark are property of Dana Limited and used under license to MAHLE Clevite Inc.
Parts & People October 2011 Page 7