ZF to shift gears with Thai expansion

ZF Marine is a worldwide leader in the marine market with about 1,100 employees and sales of 255 million euros (Bt9.8 billion) last year. It boasts almost 100 years of global expertise and has served the Thai market for over 20 years. 

Its Bangkok office is fully equipped with a strong reputation for the highest quality products and efficient service.

ZF Marine supplies propulsion systems and components for all types of vessels – motor yachts, sailboats, patrol boats, defence craft, high-speed ferries, supply vessels, tugs, tankers, container ships and ferries. 

Core products are transmissions, thrusters, propulsion controls and fixed-pitch propellers.

“Thailand is an important market for us and we are fully ready to provide our Thai customers with a competitive range of highly reliable and efficient propulsion products, backed by a strong global service network that only a company of ZF’s size and strength can offer,” Koh Chong Hin, general manager for ZF Marine in Asia-Pacific, said yesterday. “We believe in personalised customer relationships, and we know that local presence is of great importance.”

ZF not only focuses on the marine industry, it also looks to strengthen its leadership in the auto business in Thailand, having expanded its portfolio of parts for Asian car brands, including Honda, Hyundai, Mitsubishi and Suzuki. 

ZF has introduced a new clutch disc for Asian trucks, as well as commercial vehicles – the Sachs clutch disks, which are manufactured according to the highest quality standards. 

The new clutches comprise 15- and 17-inch models, ensuring greater efficiency of power transmissions over the entire service life. 

In 2013, ZF launched the world’s first nine-speed automatic transmission (9HP) for passenger cars with front-transverse drive. 

Due to its modular concept, the basic transmission can be upgraded as required. 

Different starting elements and four-wheel drive applications can also be implemented cost efficiently given the restricted installation space conditions with front-transverse passenger cars. 

The 9HP allows the engine to run in the most fuel-efficient speed range. 

Since its market launch in the Range Rover Evoque, the most recent ZF automatic transmission was introduced in many other volume-produced vehicles in extremely diverse vehicle categories, ranging from the compact SUV to the compact sedan or cross-over models.

Dysler Koh, managing director of ZF (Thailand), said the global merger of ZF and TRW would be complementary to each other’s businesses that help the combined entity to cover nearly all parts used in an auto, except only engine parts. 

The merger has not yet been implemented in the Thai market, but any change will be beneficial to both parties. 

“We have a very strong standing and deep commitment in providing fast and efficient support to our customers across the country. 

“We look forward to continuing to provide excellent services and expanding our portfolios to support our customers and partners, as we celebrate our 100th anniversary,” he said.

ZF is also a global leader in active and passive safety technology. The company, which acquired TRW Automotive on May 15, is now represented at about 230 locations in some 40 countries. 

The two companies, which were still independent last year, achieved a sales figure exceeding 30 billion euros with 134,000 employees.