Bergstrom brings comfortable climates to tough environments
Bergstrom is an American success story that continues to unfold. From a cast aluminium heater in Rockford, Illinois, in 1949, Bergstrom has evolved into a leading designer and manufacturer of climate control systems that are vastly impacting the commercial vehicle industry worldwide.
"We provide air conditioning for the people who move the world," says Jack Shaffer, president and CEO.
As a pioneer in the cab climate solutions sector, Bergstrom understands the challenges faced by heavy-duty truck operators and off-highway machine manufacturers for the past 65 years. Its battery-powered NITE, or No-Idle Thermal Environment system, is the first product of its kind to effectively tackle the commercial vehicle industry's two main challenges: mounting EPA legislation and the huge cost of running vehicles during non-service periods.
"Vision created the NITE system," says Jim Eliott, president of Bergstrom's North American climate control division. "We started developing it before the customer knew they needed it in 1994. The system undergoes continuous improvement to this day."
NITE systems provide comfort for truck drivers without coughing a steady stream of fumes in the air. Aside from significant fuel savings, NITE reduces engine wear and is environment-friendly.
Creating innovative technologies and products has always been a part of Bergstrom's DNA. A board of technology advisers and scientists from various industries worldwide visits Bergstrom regularly to keep the company at the edge of advancements. These teams provide valuable insights on patentable and game-changing innovations that Bergstrom pursues to stay relevant.
Bergstrom's successful growth is also partly hinged on its cutting-edge manufacturing processes that are run by the industry's top engineering professionals, and anchored on Mastery and Lean Six Sigma management concepts. Mastery training programmes provide staff the opportunity to hone their skills while imbibing a disciplined life. The company also uses the Lean Six Sigma tool to reduce waste, standardise processes and train employees to focus on critical success factors that constantly project improvement.
"Our innovative manufacturing process is the biggest sales tool we have," Shaffer says. "We are fast, flexible and extremely responsive. Each Bergstrom product always achieves cost efficiency and better quality for customers."
Bergstrom works with clients through a highly detailed seven-phase process starting with consultation, development and applying a problem-solving mindset. A series of meetings follow to define a project's scope, and to create a prototype and test it. Clients can choose to be closely involved in the development process by providing a conceptual product and letting Bergstrom design the components. They can also engage Bergstrom on an architectural level to create an entire product concept, including assembly.
Bergstrom continues to stay ahead by cementing its presence in the same locations as its customers, while anticipating the market's needs. Whether in Rockford or in Wales, China or India, Bergstrom's consistent product and service quality makes it the preferred partner of leading truck and commercial vehicle companies.
Forming strategic partnerships to serve key domestic construction industry players in Asia, Bergstrom is keen on developing a no-idle product for the off-road construction industry. With the Chinese government's drive towards cleaner and more sustainable environments, Bergstrom is on track, boosting its manufacturing facility in Changzhou to make the no-idle off-road vision a reality.
Led by Bergstrom China chairman William Guo, Bergstrom's Asia-Pacific base upholds the larger group's plan of strengthening its global capabilities through forging ethical relationships.
"We have proven partnerships on a handshake, and the kind of relationship that we want to have with any company is that of being allies, not just business associates," Shaffer says. "When it comes to international connections, ethics is everything. A relationship with us is based on trust. We value it more than anything."
http://www.bergstrominc.com