Valeo acquires electric supercharger technology business of Controlled Power Technologies

It was late October when this reporter interviewed the management of Controlled Power Technologies (CPT) at The Battery Show and Engine Expo 2011 in Novi, Michigan. It was obvious then that the technology fit right into the electrification of automobiles even with IC engines, for that has giant potential for improvements in mpg and CO2 reduction.

This reporter is not surprised, just at the speed of the acquisition. Read: Controlled Power Technologies reveals modular hybridization solutions at Engine Expo 2011

From an auto stock investment standpoint, this is significant news, because it relates to the lighter side of automotive electrification, which is bigger than full EV market.

According to the news release, this acquisition is part of Valeo’s strategy of developing solutions to reduce CO2 emissions; and a smart strategy it appears to be, considering the high cost of full EVS and hybrids. With this move, Valeo becomes the first automotive supplier to offer its customers a range of electric superchargers.

For the record, unlike exhaust-driven turbochargers, electric superchargers are driven by an electric motor. This innovative technology, which leverages a switched reluctance motor with very low inertia, responds much faster than a conventional turbocharger.

Highly efficient at low engine revolutions, electric superchargers make it possible to reduce engine size—an important factor in reducing fuel consumption. Imagine Ford’s EcoBoost replacing turbochargers with electric-driven superchargers, for example.

Lastly, when coupled with a Valeo energy recovery system, electric superchargers can be used to create a cost-competitive hybrid solution that can deliver fuel savings of up to 20% in the standard European driving cycle.

“We are very pleased that CPT’s VTES business is joining Valeo,” commented Valeo Chief Executive Officer Jacques Aschenbroich. “This vibrant, innovative company, backed by an impressive bench of talent, has demonstrated its ability to develop highly effective solutions for reducing CO2 emissions. With this acquisition, Valeo confirms its unique position in CO2 -reducing technologies, in line with the Group's strategy."

“CPT has worked with Valeo over a 3 year period to define electric supercharging system requirements. Our automotive customers wanted clarity about future plans for the VTES product and a sale to Valeo was the best solution to enable our VTES technology to reach its full potential” commented CPT Chief Executive Officer Nick Pascoe. “It also validates our approach to technology development, which we apply to all our products”.

According to the news release, VTES will be integrated into Valeo’s Powertrain Systems Business Group with immediate effect. Furthermore, this acquisition boosts Valeo’s commitment to innovation, which is reflected in an R&D budget of more than €600 million. The Group has filed more than 600 patents this year, making it the fourth-ranked filer in France.

CPT was advised on the transaction by Turquoise International (corporate finance) and Matthew Arnold Baldwin LLP (legal & tax).

More About Valeo

Valeo is an independent industrial Group fully focused on the design, production and sale of components, integrated systems and modules for the automotive industry, mainly for CO2 emissions reduction. Valeo ranks among the world's top automotive suppliers. The Group has 125 plants, 21 research centers, 40 development centers, 10 distribution platforms and employs 67,900 people in 28 countries worldwide.

More About Controlled Power Technologies

Controlled Power Technologies is an independent developer and supplier of cost-effective automotive technologies designed to improve automotive fuel consumption and emissions, without the need for redesign of the powertrain or vehicle electrical system.

Quick Note: Enjoy the photo slideshow of elements from The Battery Show and the Engine Expo 2011. Look for the small image below the main image.

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About the Reporter: After 39 years in the auto industry as a design engineer, Frank Sherosky now trades stocks, futures and writes articles, books and ebooks like, "Perfecting Corporate Character," "Awaken Your Speculator Mind", and "Millennial World Order" via authorfrank.com. He may be contacted here by email: [email protected] and followed in Twitter under @Authorfranks

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