Hwang Yu Leads AM Steering & Suspension Parts Sectors in Taiwan

Since its inception in 1972, Hwang Yu Automobile Parts Co., Ltd. has been the largest supplier of high-quality aftermarket (AM) automotive steering and suspension components in Taiwan, as well as a leading player worldwide that focuses on its core business and widening product line, supplying major products such as ball joints, tie rod ends, rack ends, control arms etc.

Hwang Yu, a TS16949- and ISO14001-certified company, supplies three in 10 AM steering parts in Taiwan, indicative of its size.

The maker distributes globally most of its steering parts under the private labels "Three Five" and "Three Star," with the rest filling original equipment manufacturer (OEM) orders: Over 40% of parts are shipped to the U.S., 20% to 30% to Latin America, and the rest to other markets.

In 2009, Hwang Yu set a milestone by expanding its line to cover luxury European cars as Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi, Opel etc., as well as significantly crossing over from mainly OEM to ODM (original design manufacturer), whereby it actually tries to develop parts for popular European cars, with such enthusiasm calling for boosting R&D investment by 20% to 30% per year, to a record high of NT$60 million to NT$70 million (US$1.8 million to US$2.1 million).

Eyeing Euro Cars
The company claims to have, by the end of 2010, supplied about 4,700 items, including 135 newly developed, with some 140 to 150 new items to be added in 2011. Already a significant supplier of parts for Japanese and American cars, the company is eyeing high-end European cars. In 2010, company vice president S.H. Fong says that 35 items had been developed for Mercedes, BMW, Volkswagen, Audi, Opel, and the number will exceed 50 in 2011.

Hwang Yu's sustained success is also due to, according to the company, its unmatched quality control in Taiwan: the maker insists on inspecting the first, last item as well as random samples of each batch, with quality engineers also spot checking and testing. This maker is the only AM steering-parts maker in Taiwan with in-house high-frequency processing equipment.

The maker also uses OE quality metals as SAE 1045 carbon steel and SAE 4140 alloy steel for making studs, as well as the highest-grade MOLYKOTE lubricants at seven or eight times the cost of other options.

Tech-firm-equivalent Lab
Operating a testing and inspection lab similar to that in a high-tech firm also helps Hwang Yu to exceed industry standards, with the facilities including top-end equipment such as microscope and projector, three-dimensional (3D) gauges to measure roundness, surface roughness, and hardness; computer-servo controlled material tester, impact-tester, fatigue tester, rotation-tension tester etc.

With a lab fully capable of SAE J193 Ball Stud and Socket Assembly-Test Procedures, according to Fong, the company produces a stud that withstands 30 degrees of deformation, exceeding the typically required 10 degrees.

In 2010, the company replaced most software and hardware in the test lab to uphold quality, which, according to Fong, also shows the commitment to sustainable operation. Also, Hwang Yu upgraded the maximum impact force of a tester to 4,000 joules from 1,300, as well as added testing against exposure to muddy water.

The maker now keeps adequate inventories of finished and semi-finished products and materials in the Taiwan plant, two nearby warehouses to quickly fill urgent and small-batch, large-variety orders. All but very big orders can be filled within 10-21 days, compared to industry average of 45 days.

Hwang Yu Automobile Parts Co., Ltd.
No. 2, Alley 15, Lane 1, Chungking N. Rd., Sec. 4, Taipei, Taiwan 111

Tel: 886-2-2812-9311, 2812-7777

Fax: 886-2-2813-2183, 2812-5406

Email: three5.hy@msa.hinet.net

http://www.hwangyu.com