SPEAKERS - [Back to Main Speakers List]
John Updyke, Drive Train Engineering Manager, The Hilliard Corporation: "Advancing Premium Drive Train Technology While Meeting Cost Targets and Defending Against Low Cost Competition"
Topic Info:
As off-highway vehicle manufacturers of ATV’s and UTV’s (both gas and electric) and other purpose oriented vehicles strive for performance increases while meeting price points in a difficult economy, it becomes ever more important for component suppliers to not only advance their technology, but do so at lower cost. Foreign competition, sometimes in the form of an exact copy, makes it a challenge stay one step ahead, while providing the very best product possible. The Hilliard Corporation prides itself in being a leader in drive train technology, while maintaining competitive market prices and either sourcing domestically or manufacturing components in-house.
We have developed state of the art 2-wheel and 4-wheel drive systems that enable vehicle manufacturers to maximize traction without sacrificing efficiency. While our current products are well recognized, we are continually developing new technology that will likely change drive train configurations; offering further traction improvements without the need for computer controls and sensors, or additional driver input. Our front and rear locking differentials can be configured and combined to meet long range travel goals of electric vehicles and also configured for maximum traction and performance in gas vehicles.
About John Updyke
John is a 1993 graduate of the Rochester Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. He is the Drive Train Engineering Manager for The Hilliard Corporation and has been with the company for 16 years. His responsibilities include application engineering, product and system design as well as management of his company’s locking differential development.