100 years. A century. It's a long time, any which way you describe it.
The Gates Corporation, formerly The Gates Rubber Company, celebrates its
centennial anniversary this year. The company makes belts, hoses and
hydraulics that can be used in a vast array of products; ranging from
keeping engines running to transferring fluids like fine wine.
And it's the only non-tire producing rubber
company that has a presence in all of the world’s major markets.
Needless to say, the large and diverse company is excited about celebrating its quite advanced birthday.
"We are delighted to celebrate this milestone -- and a legacy few
companies ever realize -- with our employees and customers around the
world," says company Chairman Jim Nicol, "and
we look forward to even greater success over our next 100 years." Some
of that success might not have been accomplished if it were not for the
important role that Michigan plays in the worldwide company's success.
In 1998, the Denver, Colo. corporation opened a research and development
facility in Rochester Hills. The Gates Technical Center is an integral
part of the company, acting as a testing ground for advanced aspects in
the automotive department and industrial end-markets. Durability tests, analysis of materials and
mechanics, and full vehicle testing are some of the operations in which
the Tech Center specializes.
Here, There, Everywhere
Dr. Kyoyul Oh is the Vice President of Technology in the Power Transmission
Division at the Gates Technical Center. He put Gates Corporation’s
ubiquitous products into perspective. Even though you might not think
you know their name, you probably have some in your garage.
Dr. Oh says, "Chances are Gates products are in your cars, in your
after-market service stores, recreational vehicles, lawn mowers, and
other outdoor power equipments, farm equipment, mining equipments, oil
and gas platforms, and also in the alternative energy producing
platforms." (If you can say that in one breath, you may give Michael
Phelps a run for his money.)
One of the Gates Technical Center's most exciting projects is its foray
into green technology. They produce a belt that is key in hybrids and other
green endeavors. "These technologies are used in the micro and mild
hybrid vehicle start-stop functions, wind turbine blade adjusters, and
many more," says Dr. Oh.
In terms of performance, Gates also designs and produces a belt that is used in NHRA
Dragsters. These rockets on four wheels max out at 330 MPH with
horsepower exceeding 8,000. According to Dr. Oh, Gates Technical Center is directly
involved in testing and creating these belts, as well.
Obviously, the Gates brandname is at the forefront of what's next for automotives and hybrid technology -- and the Rochester Hills Technical Center campus is an essential component for their strategic success. Dr. Oh says, "We produce and supply to all major Auto-OEM engine
valvetrain timing belt drive system components and front-end engine
accessory belt drive system components."
Roundabout Beginnings
The Gates Corporation is a mainstay on the Denver business scene -- it was once the largest
employer in the Mile High City). However, they have Michigan to thank
for that -- at least partly. Charles Gates Sr. learned the mining
trade in the famed Michigan College of Mining and Technology. The
college was well-known to produce experts in the mining field. It was
originally founded to supply knowledge to those in the state's growing
copper mines. That school is now called Michigan Technological
University.
Upon graduation, Gates Sr. dabbled in the Nevada goldmines and accrued
enough wealth to buy his own business. He moved back to Colorado and
purchased a rubber company. Around the same time, his brother invented a
belt that would go on to revolutionize the automobile industry.
Gates Rubber Company then moved into what would become an enormous
industrial complex. It was yet another Michigan connection; the complex
had been owned by Henry Ford. It was originally a Ford Motor Company
Model A assembly plant. This was the birthplace of a corporation that is
now more than 100 facilities strong in 29 different countries.
Onto the Next Century ... "The centennial celebrations is a milestone for us in Gates," says Dr.
Oh, "especially those of us in Michigan and those of us involved in the
technology development." He is looking forward to the celebrations that
will take place this summer.
The company and some of their valued customers will attend a
Detroit Tigers game in the summer (maybe the engineers can teach the umpires
how to spot a consistent strike, or they can invent a belt to keep Joel
Zumaya's arm healthy). More customers will be invited to an open house
ceremony that will include tours of the state-of-the-art facility.
The centennial is only a sign of good things to come, in Dr. Oh's opinion. "As
Gates participated in the past 100 years of industrial and
technological revolutions, we are looking forward to ... recreating
ourselves to provide continued innovations for the next century."
Over 90 of some of the best engineers and technicians in Oakland County
are employed at the Gates Corporation in Rochester Hills. With feats of
innovation and a powerful work-ethic, they have managed to make their
mark in a corporation steeped with tradition.
Gates might send their belts, hoses and hydraulics all over the world, but they're all stamped with the innovation and engineering expertise of Oakland County's Automation Alley.
Find out more at
gates.com.
Photos courtesy of the Gates Corporation.