Hutchinson Inside Out

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Source: Hutchinson

These sheets are then transferred to other areas for fabric cord calendering, fabric ply cutting, steel belt calendering, steel belt cutting, bead wire assembly, rim protection and rolling tread extrusion, and innerliner calendering. Calendering is the process in which the rubber compound is pressed on and into cords.

Tire building comes afterwards, processed by highly robotized machines, followed by tire curing and inspection to ensure both performance and safety.

Proximity sure has played its part on why it’s a huge advantage for the sponsored racers to have their products made in France. Hutchinson has more opportunity to react and adapt to their riders’ special needs, especially when adjustments to specifications are requested, as per their type of riding.

The plant today employs almost 200 employees in the tire production alone.
The Hutchinson group is proud to show not only their tire-making facilities, but also their exceptional research center, in which every year 5% of all turnover is invested. This equals to an amount of 171 million euros in 2016.

 

THE NERVE CENTER
Source: Hutchinson

Hutchinson’s taste for challenge is built on their cutting-edge innovation that pushes beyond boundaries of possibilities, may they be on land, air, or sea transports.


Hutchinson has not only gained traction in the cycling scene, but also in the aerospace industry. They are everywhere in this huge market, from long- and medium-haul to regional and business jets, fighter jets, troop transport planes, and helicopters.

Having shown us around the Research Center was like being cast in a sci-fi movie, as it was nothing like we have seen in other factories in Asia. They even have a dedicated area for their clients where one can stand right in the middle for some 360-degree viewing, while wearing 3D glasses. Besides learning about their mock-up aircraft, anechoic chamber (a severe acoustic environment), and the analytical chemistry department where they monitor the chemical composition of end products, we also had the chance to peek through the department where there is a library full of raw materials. Pull open a drawer and knock your brain from telling the difference between different kinds of rubber.

About 200 engineers work on the development of their best technologies, covering three major areas: materials, manufacturing processes and systems. With about 12 divisions under the acoustics department alone, the center itself proves the undeniable technical credibility of Hutchinson.

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