Horton, Inc.-Green Solutions For A Blue Planet
The future of cooling both vehicle cooling and the environment is always on the minds of leaders at Horton, a Minnesota-based manufacturer of cooling components for diesel engines.
Top of mind are industry changes required to meet 2010 EPA, Euro V and future emissions standards. Further reducing nitrous oxide (NOx) emissions will make diesel engines run even hotter. Horton plans to keep meeting that challenge with its decades-long expertise in optimizing airflow and engine cooling.
Horton's attention to environmental issues was apparent as far back as the U.S. energy crisis of the 1970s. In response to the need for conserving fuel, Horton's innovative on/off technology enabled fan drives to run only when necessary. One innovation led to future technologies, with Horton introducing its variable speed fan drives, multispeed fan drives and fans.
Fast-forward 25 to 30 years to an industry focused on emissions reduction. Cleaner-running engines benefit the environment, but they run hotter. Horton met those challenges head-on, with solutions that include more efficient fans and fan drives that generate better airflow. These products also improve fuel efficiency-a welcome relief to rising diesel costs-and provide better engine cooling.
Each new generation of products has brought important advantages, including increased torque, lighter weight, longer life, lower noise levels, more available horsepower and increased reliability.
Recent product innovations for cooling engines include Stratis; Viscous Fan Drives, DM Advantage; On/Off and Two-Speed Fan Drives, and Arctis; On/Off
Fan Drives. Stratis Viscous Fan Drives are managed by the engine's electronic control unit for precision fan speed control. They also feature an innovative reservoir, actuator and valve system. DM Advantage On/Off and Two-Speed Fan Drives feature premium components and more torque. Arctis On/Off Fan Drives are lighter and provide the highest torque. All are compatible with Horton's WindMaster® or competitive fans.
"These developments translate into better performance and less fuel consumption, which benefits the industry's bottom line and the environment," says Jeff Lindgren, Senior Vice President Sales and Marketing, General Manager Britton/Fan Drives. "Today, Horton offers more cooling solutions than any other manufacturer and the most comprehensive line of fans and variable, on/off and multispeed fan drives."
Horton's innovations rely on disciplined research and validation. Horton engineers and technicians evaluate prototypes in state-of-the-art technical centers around the world. Tests for airflow, noise, stress and durability are completed at our Indiana facility. At its sales office and manufacturing facility in Germany, Horton performs functional and durability tests. The Hugh K. Schilling Technical Center in Minnesota uses a dynamometer, hydrodynamic shaker and endurance test cells for testing road readiness. This facility also features a control center with around-the-clock video monitoring of test cells. The comprehensive Horton research and development process ensures products perform reliably in the field.
All Horton manufacturing facilities will have achieved ISO 14001 certification in 2009, ensuring minimal negative effects of operations on the environment. Horton facilities employ eco-friendly processes and manufacturing, including:
o Cardboard, paper, wood, plastic, water from washers and electrical components are recycled
o Metal, steel, ductile iron and aluminum chips are recycled
o Cleaners, machine oils and coolant for machine operations are reconditioned and reused or recycled
o Water for the dynamometer is recirculated
o Products are remanufactured, reusing components when possible and reducing the need for materials to end up in landfills.
Manufacturing takes place in South Dakota, Indiana and Germany.
Horton wears its commitment to the environment on its sleeve, on its letterhead, promotional literature, website and boxes. The Horton polar bear icon serves as a constant reminder of rugged, innovative cooling solutions for engines and for the environment.
The polar bear, which Horton adopted as its identity in the late 1990s, has become a global symbol of the environmental issues our planet faces. Scientists predict that without significant changes to global warming trends, two-thirds of the world's polar bears could disappear by 2050. The major threat to the world's polar bears is shrinking sea ice due to climate change. Polar bears depend on sea ice to hunt for food.
Over the years, Horton has provided financial support to the polar bear exhibits at the Como Zoo in Minnesota and more recently, at the Nuremberg Zoo (home of much-publicized polar bears Flocke) in Germany. These zoos educate the public about the effects of global warming on polar bear habitats.
Horton continues its commitment to technology innovations that will address engine cooling and airflow management needs for today and in the future.
Horton, Inc.
2565 Walnut Street
Roseville, MN 55113
1-800-621-1320
+1 (651) 361-6400
info@hortonww.com
www.hortonww.com/eco
CONTACT:
Holly Jo Anderson
952-738-8177
holly@veritasmarketing.com
