Hutchinson
IndustryAutomotive
Aerospace
Defense
Rail
Energy
FoundedFrance 1853 (1853)
Headquarters
Paris
Key people
Hélène Moreau-Leroy, CEO
ProductsBody Sealing Systems, Precision Sealing Systems, Fluid Management Systems, Materials and Structures, Vibration Control Systems, Belt Drive Systems
Revenue€ 4.314 Billion (2019)
Number of employees
>44,000
Websitewww.hutchinson.com
Bicycle with Hutchinson tires.
A Hutchinson factory in Łódź, Poland.

Hutchinson[1] is a French multinational Group known as the third-largest manufacturer of non-tire rubber in the world. It was founded in 1853 by Hiram Hutchinson in Châlette-sur-Loing, France.[2]

The Group manufactured a range of rubber goods, including the Aigle boots. Over the years, Hutchinson has become a major player in the mobility industry, securing a relevant position in the automotive, aerospace, defense, and cycling sectors. The organization places a great emphasis on the development of innovative products, conducting scientific research, and fostering sustainability practices.

Hutchinson is headquartered in Paris with a presence in 25 countries and over 38,000 employees.[3]

Pieces of natural vulcanized rubber at Hutchinson's Research and Innovation Center in France.

History

Hiram Hutchinson and the founding of the Group

Hiram Hutchinson was a North American industrialist with British roots. He came to France in 1853, after acquiring the patent rights for rubber vulcanization from Charles Goodyear (Goodyear). That same year, he founded Hutchinson. Back in the U.S., Hutchinson researched further applications for rubber. The results of his studies led to a variety of products manufactured by the Group today.[4]

In the early years, Hutchinson was involved in the manufacture of boots. The legacy of early production is carried on by Aigle, which specializes in high-quality rubber boots.

In the 1900s, Hutchinson diversified its operations from tire manufacturing and began producing coated canvases for aircraft and airships. The company also expanded into other areas, including clothing, automobiles, heavyweights, belts, and more.

Since 1970, Hutchinson has been a subsidiary of TotalEnergies, a global producer and supplier of hydrocarbons and other energy sources.

Unification of brands

In the early 2000s, Hutchinson undertook a major restructuring by unifying its various brands into a single company. This consolidation significantly strengthened the Group's position as a global industry leader and enabled it to offer innovative solutions around the world.

170 years and a commitment to sustainability

In the 2000s, Hutchinson increased its investment in research and development to strengthen its presence in the mobility industry. The company focused particularly on sustainability, publishing a sustainability roadmap that reinforced the company's commitment to sustainability.

The Group also invests in research and innovation for the advancement of mobility. They are now investing in the hydrogen market as an energy vector.

Markets

In addition to being one of the world's largest players in the rubber market, Hutchinson is also present in the automotive, aerospace, railway, industrial, defense, energy and cycling sectors.[5]

Automotive and e-Mobility

Hutchinson provides solutions like automotive seals,[6][7] fluid transfer systems, and vibration control technologies that reduce noise and improve comfort. Hutchinson’s products can be found on popular car models such as the Mazda 3.[8]

Aerospace and Defense

In the aerospace industry, Hutchinson provides engine systems, ducting solutions, and other components that improve aircraft performance and safety. They also play a role in the defense sector, providing armor technology and defense-related solutions.[9][10]

New Energy and Industry

Hutchinson supplies the industrial and mobility sectors with elastomer solutions for a wide range of applications. These include solutions for industry, transportation and the energy market that provide operational efficiency and safety.

Hutchinson serves the industrial, energy and transportation markets with elastomer solutions for a wide range of applications. Their solutions include:

  • Acoustic and Vibration: vibration control parts and systems such as the SmartDamper® reduce engine noise. Hutchinson’s suspension systems can be found on the Mazda 3.
  • Sealing: Hutchinson develops seals, sealants, membranes, and more.[11] These seals can be seen surrounding edges of car doors or windows, for example.[12] Precision Sealing products such as o-rings have both automotive and industrial applications.[13][14] In July 2019, Hutchinson signed a contract to supply sealing systems to Airbus and Boeing.[15]
  • Fluid and Thermal Management: Hutchinson’s Fluid Management Systems transport liquids like water, air, gas, etc. throughout a vehicle.[11] Examples include engine cooling, fuel injection, air conditioning, braking, among others.[16][11] Hutchinson’s fluid management systems can be found on the Airbus Helicopter H160.[17]
  • Material and Structure
  • Power Transmission

Global Presence

Hutchinson's global presence spans 25 countries, where it employs more than 38,000 people.[3] Operations are spread around the world, serving diverse markets and customers.

Hutchinson now has three showrooms known as Fab House[18][19] in Europe, Asia and North America. They serve as a meeting place for customers, but also as a space where employees can benefit from technology and interaction spaces.[20]

The Fab House are located in Grand Rapids, U.S[21]., Suzhou, China,[22] and Châlette-sur-Loing, France. The latter has an 18th century building designed by Gustave Eiffel.

Research

Hutchinson is an expert in multi-materials, composites, system characterization, mechatronics and connected systems, and multi-physics modeling. The Group has three research and innovation centers in France, the United States and Singapore, where it applies its expertise to find new solutions for industry.

It also has partnerships with companies such as Electreon, where it develops dynamic wireless charging solutions for electric vehicles.[23][24] The technology allows vehicles to charge while driving via coils embedded in the roadway.[25] Electrive explains, “The coils are embedded eight centimetres below the surface, invisible to road users, and only activated when a vehicle drives over them.”[25] Hutchinson manufactures these coils.[25][26][27] Electreon participated in a pilot project for the Swedish Transport Administration electric road program where Electreon embedded its technology in a one-mile stretch of road on the island of Gotland.[26][27] The Group also have partnerships with universities such as the University of Singapore and the University of Michigan.

The Group has a history of creating products to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.[28] The company participates in European Commission funded research initiatives such as Clean Sky, the goal of which is to reduce the impact of air travel on the environment. Hutchinson is the coordinator of two Clean Sky 2 projects focusing on air treatment and temperature control in aircraft.[29][30] In 2017, the company hosted a student research competition in the 507 Fab House.[31][32]

Major acquisitions

Hutchinson has acquired many companies with varying expertise. In 1974 Hutchinson acquired Paulstra, a company which specializes in vibration and acoustic insulation.  [33]

The company made multiple acquisitions in 2019. In January, Hutchinson announced the acquisition of an American parts manufacturer called Midé Technology.[34][35][36][37][38]

In September, Hutchinson acquired a thermal management company called TCSA from Mann+Hummel.[39] “TCSA is now a joint venture between the two companies, dedicated to thermal management and cooling systems for vehicles, particularly EV and HEV and integrated in Hutchinson’s FMS (Fluid Management Systems) activity.” [40]

Later that month, Hutchinson announced its acquisition of German aerospace company, PFW.[41][42][43][44][45] The acquisition was completed in January 2020.[46]

References

  1. ↑ "OUR HISTORY". Hutchinson. Retrieved 2020-02-19.
  2. ↑ "Hutchinson prepares new products for new vehicles". Rubber & Plastics News. 2018-09-27. Retrieved 2020-02-19.
  3. 1 2 "Hutchinson". Retrieved 19 Feb 2020.
  4. ↑ hutchinsonworldwide. "Our History: Reinventing ourselves for over 160 years". hutchinsonworldwide.com. Hutchinson. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
  5. ↑ "Our Markets". Hutchinson. Retrieved 2020-02-24.
  6. ↑ "Expertise". Hutchinson. Retrieved 2020-02-24.
  7. ↑ "HUTCHINSON S.A. - MarkLines Automotive Industry Portal". www.marklines.com. Retrieved 2020-02-24.
  8. ↑ "Hutchinson system delivers comfort on new Mazda 3". European Rubber Journal. 2019-07-02. Retrieved 2020-02-24.
  9. ↑ "Hutchinson Aerospace | Aviation Companies Directory". marketplace.aviationweek.com. Retrieved 2020-02-25.
  10. ↑ "Hutchinson Launches New Aftermarket Business". aviationweek.com. Retrieved 2020-02-25.
  11. 1 2 3 "Hutchinson: A leader in processing elastomers". TotalEnergies. Retrieved 2020-03-03.
  12. ↑ "Thermoplastic-On-Glass". Hutchinson. Retrieved 2020-03-03.
  13. ↑ "Automotive applications for O-ring seal". Hutchinson. Retrieved 2020-03-03.
  14. ↑ "O-RING FOR INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS". Hutchinson. Retrieved 2020-03-03.
  15. ↑ "Hutchinson inks new aerospace seals contract". European Rubber Journal. 2019-07-10. Retrieved 2020-03-03.
  16. ↑ "FLUID MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS". Hutchinson. Retrieved 2020-03-03.
  17. ↑ "Hutchinson lifts off with new helicopter materials". European Rubber Journal. 2019-07-07. Retrieved 2020-03-03.
  18. ↑ "Our Locations". Hutchinson. Retrieved 2020-03-20.
  19. ↑ "Fab House". Hutchinson. Retrieved 2020-03-20.
  20. ↑ "Hutchinson rolls out new digitalization plan". Rubber & Plastics News. 2019-02-07. Retrieved 2020-03-20.
  21. ↑ "Hutchinson to build new North American HQ". European Rubber Journal. 2017-04-13. Retrieved 2020-03-20.
  22. ↑ "Hutchinson opens China innovation centre". European Rubber Journal. 2020-01-24. Retrieved 2020-03-20.
  23. ↑ "Home". Electreon. Retrieved 2020-05-06.
  24. ↑ "Home | Smartroad Gotland". Smartroadgotland. Retrieved 2020-05-06.
  25. 1 2 3 Jordan, Chris (2019-09-23). "ElectReon inductively charges a Renault Zoe in transit". electrive.com. Retrieved 2020-05-06.
  26. 1 2 Kane, Mark. "Sweden To Test Dynamic Wireless Charging On Island Of Gotland". InsideEVs. Retrieved 2020-05-06.
  27. 1 2 "Sweden to build world's first dynamic 'electric road' system". Traffic Technology Today. 2019-04-12. Retrieved 2020-05-06.
  28. ↑ "Hutchinson completes investment in valves supplier". European Rubber Journal. 2019-09-10. Retrieved 2020-03-10.
  29. ↑ "ENVIRONMENT CONTROL SECONDARY SYSTEM". European Commission: CORDIS. Retrieved 2020-03-10.
  30. ↑ "MULTIFUNCTIONAL HEATED AUTOREGULATED PTC RADIANT PANEL". European Commission: CORDIS. Retrieved 2020-03-10.
  31. ↑ "Hutchinson to launch 'innovation challenge' for students". European Rubber Journal. 2017-07-04. Retrieved 2020-03-10.
  32. ↑ "Hutchinson's 24-hour hackathon". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2020-03-10.
  33. ↑ "About". www.paulstra-industry.com. Retrieved 2020-04-27.
  34. ↑ admin (2019-01-09). "Hutchinson acquires Midé Technology - Rubber Journal Asia -News on Rubber machinery , Manufacturers , Rubber chemical producers and Rubber processors". Rubber Journal Asia -News on Rubber machinery , Manufacturers , Rubber chemical producers and Rubber processors. Retrieved 2020-04-27.
  35. ↑ "Hutchinson acquiring U.S. parts maker Mide Technology". Rubber & Plastics News. 2019-01-09. Retrieved 2020-04-27.
  36. ↑ "Update: Hutchinson acquiring US parts maker Midé Technology". European Rubber Journal. 2019-01-09. Retrieved 2020-04-27.
  37. ↑ "Hutchinson acquires US based Mide Technology Corporation - MarkLines Automotive Industry Portal". www.marklines.com. 8 January 2019. Retrieved 2020-04-27.
  38. ↑ "Hutchinson acquires Midé Technology Corporation | Hutchinson". www.hutchinson.com. Retrieved 2020-04-27.
  39. ↑ "Finalization of the creation of the joint venture between Hutchinson and MANN+HUMMEL | Hutchinson". www.hutchinson.com. Retrieved 2020-04-27.
  40. ↑ admin (2019-09-11). "Hutchinson completes acquisition of TCSA from Mann+Hummel". Rubber Journal Asia -News on Rubber machinery , Manufacturers , Rubber chemical producers and Rubber processors. Retrieved 2020-04-27.
  41. ↑ "Hutchinson acquires PFW AEROSPACE | Hutchinson". www.hutchinson.com. 16 September 2019. Retrieved 2020-04-27.
  42. ↑ "Hutchinson to acquire German aerospace parts maker". Rubber & Plastics News. 2019-09-18. Retrieved 2020-04-27.
  43. ↑ "Hutchinson acquires PFW Aerospace". Air & Cosmos. Retrieved 2020-04-27.
  44. ↑ "Hutchinson acquires PFW Aerospace | PFW Aerospace". Retrieved 2020-04-27.
  45. ↑ "News for Airlines, Airports and the Aviation Industry | CAPA". centreforaviation.com. Retrieved 2020-04-27.
  46. ↑ "News for Airlines, Airports and the Aviation Industry | CAPA". centreforaviation.com. Retrieved 2020-04-27.
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