DSD Inc. announces expansion to meet growing need for rapid electrified powertrain development

Following a period of sustained business growth, specialist engineering consultancy Drive System Design Inc., is investing over $2.0m by expanding into a new Farmington Hills, Michigan facility. The new premises will enhance the company's test & development capabilities and provide an expanding customer base with the ability to deliver programs from concept to vehicle prototype.

To complement the new North American headquarters, the company has appointed Matt Hole as vice president, promoted to the position from European parent company Drive System Design, Ltd.

"As more stringent fleet average emissions regulations approach, greater pressure is being placed on OEMs to electrify a growing portion of their product range," says Jon Brentnall, DSD Inc. president. "Global customer demand for electrification has also come quicker than anticipated, partly proven by a significant growth in EV start-ups. As a result, we are increasingly seeing manufacturers outsourcing specialist expertise to help reduce time to market.

"The new facility will directly enable us to cater for this rising demand," Brentnall adds. "We can offer customers additional prototype build and test facilities; providing a genuine one-stop-shop for electrified powertrain development. Our in house capability also provides DSD Inc. with full project control, shortening customer development times."

Additional capability offered by the new facility includes the support of hydraulic system development and loaded testing. DSD Inc. is currently commissioning a 3E rig and has recently installed a battery emulator, for electric and hybrid vehicle development and hardware in the loop (HIL) testing. Existing driveline test equipment includes a transmission efficiency test rig that is suitable for all transmission types, including engine accessory drives, such as supercharger and CVT drives.

"Matt's appointment as VP enhances the expertise available to North American customers," explains Brentnall. "Matt's time at Drive System Design UK adds a breadth of expertise to our US operation, having played a central role in the delivery of a number of high-profile, highly complex driveline programs and contributed significantly to the business growth of Europe's premier, commercially-available driveline development center. We are delighted to welcome him to the US and look forward to tapping into his knowledge as we work together to continue the growth of DSD Inc."

"This is an exciting and extremely fast-moving time in the transmission and driveline industry, and I am delighted to be taking a key role in the continued development of the company's leading-edge facilities," says DSD Inc.'s newly appointed vice president, Matt Hole. "The capability of the new facility offers enormous potential and flexibility to manufacturers and suppliers operating in all key markets in this thriving region, and for driveline development globally."

The vice presidency appointment is not the only new role made available by the company's expansion. DSD Inc. will be working closely with the State of Michigan to grow the company by a further 25 skilled engineering staff over the next 3 years, which has led to the award of a $175,000 performance-based grant from the Michigan Business Development Program.

"Drive System Design Inc's decision to invest in Farmington Hills rather than another state means excellent jobs for Michigan residents and further solidifies the state's leadership position in automotive R&D and electric vehicle advancements," says Jeff Mason, CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), which helps manage state funding opportunities. "We are pleased to work with our local partners and to support this investment, and we look forward to working with DSD Inc. as it continues to develop transmission and driveline technologies in Michigan."