Two R&D Alliances Set Up to Build Value-added Rubber Auto Parts
2008/10/23 | By Quincy LiangTaipei, Oct. 23, 2008 (CENS)--Three local research institutes and some private companies recently decided to set up an R&D alliance focusing on development and manufacturing of automotive shock-absorption parts.
Members in the alliance include the First Institute of Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (CSIST), Plastics Industry Development Center (PIDC), Metal Industries Research & Development Center (MIRDC), Harmony Rubber Industry Co., Ltd., Chung Kwang Rubber Goods Mfg, Co., Ltd. etc.
The alliance aims to develop high value-added rubber products to create additional annual production value between NT$100 million to NT$200 million (US$3.08 million to US$6.15 million at US$1: NT$32.5).
According to the alliance, all the rubber air-spring mounts used on trucks, buses, crane trucks etc. vehicles are supplied by foreign brands such as Bridgestone, Goodyear, Michelin, Sumitomo, Yokohama etc., so the alliance aims to introduce home-grown rubber air-springs into the automotive aftermarket.
The alliance also target at pushing self-developed hydraulic engine mounts for passenger cars, also for the aftermarket.
In addition to the shock-absorption parts alliance, CSIST said that its First Institute also won a NT$15 million (US$461,538) subsidization from the Department of Industrial Technology (DoIT) of the Ministry of Economic Affairs to set up a value-added drive-belt R&D alliance. The alliance also include some private companies such as San Wu Rubber Mfg. Co., Ltd., San Wu Textile Co., Ltd., Tong Yah Electronic Technology Co., Ltd. etc.
The drive-belt alliance aims to help establish value-added drive-built industry on the island to enable local makers to compete with Japanese counterparts globally.