Divisions

Feltex Automotive

Feltex Automotive comprises seven strategic business units that supply products directly and indirectly to the South African OEMs [Original Equipment Manufacturers] and is South Africa's largest automotive component manufacturer. Manufacturing 90% of the moulded seat foam used in car seats in SA, 60% of the trim, and a large proportion of the leather used in car seats and door panels, Feltex Automotive is a clear market leader. Through strategic partnerships with German company Fehrer AG and Swiss group Rieter, the company is the dominant player in moulded seat pads and head rests, as well as automotive acoustics and thermal management. There is a strong culture of interdependence and synergy amongst the units, yet each is managed as an individual profit centre with its own management team.

Key business drivers are consistent quality, outstanding services, investment in modern technology, environmental responsibility and competitive pricing. The company is continually investing in expanding existing factories and developing new facilities (e.g. waste recycling plant). All divisions have achieved a dominant supply position in their product sectors and this has enabled the businesses to achieve competitive prices through economy of scale benefits.

Manufacturing facilities in Durban, Rosslyn, Port Elizabeth and East London are situated in close proximity to the assembly plants to facilitate "just in time" and "just in sequence” supply. Integrated computerised information technology systems link into the customer's electronic data interchange production planning systems.

Trim

This division is the leading supplier of a wide range of quality automotive acoustic and trim components including main floor carpets, dash insulators, engine and passenger compartment insulators, trunk packages, parcel shelves and sun visors, shower curtains, seat back trim, trunk mats, roof and bonnet liners, exterior textile wheelhouse liners and loose lay mats. Acoustic components are developed to reduce the noise in the passenger compartments of motor vehicles. It is a first tier supplier to all the leading OEMs and is the dominant supplier in its product range. Long term technology and licensing agreements have been established with global leaders in the manufacture of automotive and trim components. The raw materials for use by the converting units are manufactured in-house.

Unifrax

Feltex Unifrax, in partnership with Unifrax Corporation of USA and using its state-of-the-art technology, manufactures mats for catalytic converters to protect the filter in the exhaust of a motor vehicle. It is the world-leading producer of high temperature fibre products for a wide variety of industrial applications. This is a growth market with increasing environmental demands for lower motor vehicle exhaust emissions.

Foam

Situated in Durban, this business produces a wide range of polyester and polyether flexible, semi-rigid and rigid thermo-formable foams in peeled and shaped component format. Most of the output is delivered to the automotive market where a significant market share has been achieved. The foam laminates the fabric to the car seat. Foam products are also supplied to the apparel, filtration, footwear and leisure industries.

Auto Leathers

Feltex Automotive Leathers, with a large modern leather finishing factory based in Ladysmith, produces leather for seats, door panels, gear boot covers, gear lever covers, sun visors and service manual covers for motor manufacturers. It also markets quality leather products for the furniture and aviation industries and services both global and local markets. Clients include DaimlerChrysler, Toyota, General Motors, Landrover and Mitsubishi and with stringent quality standards and international quality accreditations, the business constantly strives to improve its global competitiveness.

Feltex Futuris

With its recent joint venture deal with Australian group Futuris Automotive Interiors, Caravelle Carpets will manufacture tufted carpets in SA for the first time. Three new Feltex factories are being built in East London, to supply the new Mercedes Benz C-class range being constructed in SA from mid-2007.

Feltex Fehrer (74%)

Established when Feltex sold 26% of its foam mouldings division to the leading international foam mouldings manufacturer, Fehrer of Germany (securing the continuity of technical expertise), Feltex Fehrer manufactures moulded polyurethane products to international specifications and quality standards. The product range includes automotive seat pads, armrests, headrests, wire frames, listing wires and suspension aid buffers.

Rieter Feltex Automotive (49%)

A joint venture with the multinational Rieter Automotive Systems group, Feltex has management responsibility for operations and has secured the continuity of technical expertise. The JV produces heatshields in Rosslyn and distributes noise and thermal protection systems as well as floor systems and interior trim.