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TRW and Simula Secure Major European Automaker Contract for Inflatable Tubular Structure Technology

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

TRW and Simula, Inc. have announced that they have secured business from a major European automaker to utilize their Inflatable Tubular Structure (ITS) technology for side-impact protection. The new contract, valued at approximately 200,000 units in its first year, is expected to be introduced in calendar year 2000. This partnership marks the integration of Simula's ITS into TRW's side impact protection offerings to worldwide vehicle makers, a collaboration announced in June 1998. The agreement comes on the heels of TRW's acquisition of BDM International in 1997, which significantly bolstered the company's automotive sales to over $7 billion.

Key Takeaways:

  • TRW and Simula have secured a major contract from a European automaker for their Inflatable Tubular Structure (ITS) technology, valued at approximately 200,000 units in its first year.
  • The contract is expected to be introduced in calendar year 2000 and marks the integration of Simula's ITS into TRW's side impact protection offerings to worldwide vehicle makers.
  • TRW has become the world's largest provider of occupant restraint systems, including air bags, seat belts, and steering wheel systems, with sales for 1997 reaching approximately $12 billion.
  • Simula is an acknowledged world leader in transportation safety and energy absorption technology, providing high technology energy absorbing aircraft seating systems, lightweight and efficient advanced composite structures, and protective systems.
  • TRW and Simula have also announced an exclusive agreement for TRW to develop and market Simula's patented inflatable seat belt technology, the Inflatable Tubular Torso Restraint (ITTR).
  • Simula already supplies BMW with the ITS for a number of vehicles.

Statistics:

  • 200,000: Approximate first-year production units for the major European automaker's contract.
  • 2000: Calendar year for the introduction of the new contract.
  • $12 billion: TRW's sales for 1997, including the acquisition of BDM International.
  • $7 billion: TRW's automotive sales in 1997.
  • 9 June 1998: Date of TRW and Simula's agreement to integrate Simula's ITS into TRW's side impact protection offerings.
  • 10 November 1998: Date of TRW and Simula's announcement of their exclusive agreement for TRW to develop and market Simula's ITTR.

Sources:

  • PRNewswire press release, December 7 /PRNewswire/.
  • [http://www.simula.com](http://www.simula.com)

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