Key facts
GKN Wheels is a world leader in the design, manufacture and supply of wheels for off-highway applications.
It manufactures wheels for the agricultural, construction, industrial and mining machinery industries, as well as supplying distributors
and specialised aftermarket dealers.
The company has its origins in Telford, UK in 1910 when, as Joseph Sankey, it manufactured the world’s first steel wheel. Today, it has
five manufacturing locations, two test centres and employs some 1,540 people.
GKN Wheels is part of the GKN Land Systems Division of GKN plc and operates within the division’s High Performance Structures
Business. Land Systems is a global organisation with over 5,000 employees worldwide and annual sales in excess of £699 million
($1.1 billion). It is one of four divisions within GKN plc, the others being Aerospace, Driveline and Powder Metallurgy. Together, these
divisions employ some 40,000 people. GKN plc had sales of £5.4 billion in the year ended 31 December 2010. The Group is listed on
the London Stock Exchange (LSE: GKN).
GKN Wheels Around The World
In addition to its world class manufacturing capability, GKN Wheels owns and operates some of the most advanced testing facilities
used in off-highway wheel design. Locations and specialisms are shown in the map below.
Supplying The Industry
Companies from global OEMs to smaller businesses rely on GKN products and services, with every order processed with the same
care. Feedback from all customers directly influences the company’s continuous improvement and investment programmes.
Among GKN Wheels’ customers are many of the leading specialists around the world. They include: AGCO; Bobcat; Bohnenkamp;
CargoTec/Kalmar; Caterpillar; Claas; Case New Holland; JCB; John Deere; Komatsu; Linde; Liugong; Molcon; Otto Just; Reinke;
Rimtec; SGMW.
Product Range
GKN Wheels manufactures an extensive range of wheel rim widths from 4” to 36” and diameters from 12” to 63”. These include fixed
and adjustable, single and multi-piece, narrow and high speed wheels for diverse market sectors.
Single piece rims are generally used on agricultural and light construction equipment.
Multi-piece rims are predominantly used on heavier construction equipment and forklift trucks. The higher operating loads and tyre
pressures used result in tyres with very stiff side walls. These can only be fitted if the wheel flange is detachable.
Mining machinery wheels:
for wheel loaders, rigid dump trucks, articulated dump trucks, motor graders
Construction machinery wheels:
for backhoe loaders, skid steer loaders, motor graders, wheel excavators, wheel loaders,
articulated dump trucks, pull scrapers, paving
Material handling machinery wheels:
for telehandlers, fork lift trucks, harbour cranes
Agricultural wheels:
for agricultural tractors, combine harvesters, powered agricultural machinery, trailed
agricultural machinery, forestry machinery
On highway wheels:
for trailers and caravans.
Engineering Innovation & Bespoke Solutions
The company has unrivalled research & development and testing facilities, enabling it to create bespoke wheel solutions to match
specific equipment and operating condition requirements.
Wheels can be developed to enhance performance in any application. Designs are configured to meet the requirements of the customer
and application without adding unnecessary weight, which can impact on costs in terms of higher fuel consumption or reduced
payloads.
Before starting any new design, data is collected on factors such as stress, load, mileage and wheel application. This is then used to
programme sophisticated analytical models to develop high quality solutions in the virtual world, before committing to manufacture of
physical parts. Rigorous test programmes then confirm reliability, sustainability and performance.
Product Assurance
GKN’s commitment to research, development and testing means it can offer some of the most advanced testing processes in the
industry. These include FEA, static and dynamic testing, rim rolling and disc bending, field testing, strain analysis and life expectancy
analysis. This provides assurance that all GKN products are designed, manufactured and tested to the highest quality standards to
maximise strength, durability, sustainability and value.
Expert Comment On Industry Issues And Developments
As a direct result of its international presence, manufacturing and research & development capability, GKN Wheels is ideally placed to
comment on emerging market, technical and commercial issues in the off-highway arena and across the agriculture, construction and
mining sectors.
Senior managers and technical specialists at each of our key locations are available to provide informed commentary.
Key People
Steve Norgrove, Managing Director
Simon Harvey, Sales & Marketing Director
Jules Carter, Global Engineering Director
Key Global Communications Contacts:
For information and comment, in the first instance, please contact:
Sali Morris
GKN Wheels Division
Marketing & Business Development Manager
T +44 (0) 1952 428466
M +44 (0) 7894 177 439
Email: Sali.morris@gkn.com
Mike Farrington/Sarah Warren
Golley Slater Public Relations
T: +44 (0) 121 384 9700
M +44 (0) 7801 649046
Email: mfarrington@golleyslater.co.uk