• High tech manufacturing plant in Opole (PL) doubles UFI’s heat exchanger capacity
• 42 million PLN (10 million Euro) ultimate investment; 250 new employees within five years
• Company’s ‘local-to-local’ OEM service strategy, responding to future powertrain needs

UFI Filters, a world leader in filtration and thermal management technology, is inaugurating a state-of-the-art new plant in Opole, Poland on 14th December that will double the company’s global production capacity for heat exchangers by 2023.

As part of UFI’s strategy of manufacturing original equipment (OE) parts close to vehicle manufacturers, the new facility further develops the company’s thermal business across Europe.

The plant, which covers an initial 6,000 m² of space with a capacity of one million parts per annum, is set to expand to 12,000 m² and triple its production capacity by 2023. Output from its fully integrated, advanced technology processes will include engine, transmission and other coolers, as well as broader offers including hybrid and electric vehicle heat exchangers.

The Opole plant brings significant economic benefits to the region, representing a total investment of 42 million PLN (around 10 million Euros) and creating 250 new jobs within the next five years.

The site is UFI’s first factory outside China to manufacture heat exchangers. It is conveniently located close to UFI’s sister filter factory in Ostrava (Czech Republic), allowing a rapid service of less than two hours between the two premises.

Giorgio Girondi, UFI Filters Group Chairman, confirms: “Engine, transmission and other watercooled heat exchangers have been a significant OE growth area for UFI in recent years, and are highly complementary to our filtration business. We strive to serve our customers even more efficiently at a local level. With the opening of this key facility in Poland we can satisfy the needs of all major vehicle manufacturer customers in Europe with improved delivery time.”

The advanced OE heat exchangers that UFI will now produce at the new Opole plant are designed for a range of markets, including automotive and heavy-duty trucks, tractors and construction equipment (on- and off-road), as well as hybrid, full electric and fuel cell vehicles prepared for future powertrain and e-mobility. Cutting-edge manufacturing processes at the new factory will enable all UFI thermal management units to deliver ultimate heat exchangers for engine, transmission, fuel and steering coolers. Battery chiller and battery coolers have recently been added to UFI portfolio.

In addition, supporting UFI’s specialisation in innovative vacuum-brazed aluminium water-cooled heat exchangers, the new plant is equipped with the latest vacuum brazing and testing technologies that ensure optimum cleanliness, product strength and reliability.

Since entering the heat exchanger sector in 2012, UFI has become a leader in the development and production of thermal management units. With an engineering and development team based in Italy, the company is at the forefront of thermal management technologies and systems integration, combining heat exchangers with additional, integrated features and functions such as thermostatic, anti-drain and pressure-release valves, coarse filters for coolant, sensors and integrated adaptor plates.

“As an expert innovator and systems integrator, UFI is continually bringing new thermal management units to the market that can both cool and warm any automotive fluid,” explains Giorgio Girondi. “Combining that expertise with the additional capacity now available at Opole, we can both anticipate the heat exchange requirements of future powertrains and meet growing European demand.”

“In the coming years” continues Girondi, “we will also start the production of filters in Opole, to fulfil the increasing demands of our customers.” The Opole plant will also serve as an Aftermarket warehouse and will soon become a central hub in the European scenario, confirming the Group as a key player in the market.