After a spell in the aeronautics and high- and medium-voltage electrical connectors sectors (SICAME group), Claude Madelmont entered the world of automotive equipment suppliers via a French SME. In 1997, the company was acquired by Borg Warner. Claude Madelmont joined the American group.
"I was part of the Borg Warner Transmission Systems subsidiary, for which I was responsible for supplier selection in Europe, China and the USA," details the former employee, who left the group in December 2021. With over 48,000 employees and sales of 12 billion US dollars, Borg Warner is one of the world's largest automotive suppliers.
"We manufacture components for electric, hybrid and internal combustion cars".
The company specializes in the manufacture of automotive components. "We make parts for electric, hybrid and internal combustion vehicles: turbos, gearboxes, clutches, engines... We specialize in what's called the powertrain; that's everything to do with the engine and transmission."
The Transmission Systems subsidiary processes metal parts for hydraulic and electro-hydraulic systems. The treatment of these parts improves product life and wear resistance. "These parts have electro-magnetic and wear-resistant characteristics. This is a very important point."
Automatic transmission at the heart of Borg Warner's business
Of all the types of parts processed for us by the Thermi-Lyon Group, one in particular accounts for a significant proportion of sales: "This electromagnetic part is a component of an automatic gearbox pilot solenoid valve, which enables automatic gear changes."
The American group works with all the world's carmakers: Renault, Nissan, GM, Stellantis, Ford, Volkswagen... And it's the automatic transmission sector that is the most buoyant for the equipment supplier: a significant part of its business is concentrated on components for automatic vehicles.
"Trempelec processes 15,000 to 25,000 parts at a time".
Trempelec, a subsidiary of the Thermi-Lyon Group, is involved in the heat treatment of metal parts. "They specialize in nitrocarburizing under controlled atmosphere. This involves heat treatment of the part to make it harder and more resistant to wear."
This highly complex treatment requires particularly high-performance equipment, which Trempelec possesses. Everything is done in a controlled atmosphere. As in a large kitchen oven, a gas is injected to bring about the chemical transformation of the material. The temperature is also controlled, as is the depth at which the treatment is injected.
"It's a state-of-the-art process. Trempelec treats 15,000 to 25,000 parts at a time," explains Claude Madelmont. Depending on the depth of treatment, the durability of the part will not be the same.
Consulting services for French, American and Indian companies
Today, the former Borg Warner employee has left the group to set up his own consulting company. "I help companies find new customers and enter new markets. I can also help them restructure their purchasing departments."
At ease in the European, American and Indian markets, which he knows well, Claude Madelmont works with these companies to put them in touch with new customers. He continues his career with this consulting activity, based on his expertise.
