Garrett Motion Inc. (Garrett) is a cutting-edge technology leader delivering differentiated solutions for emission reduction and energy efficiency.
The company designs, manufactures and sells highly engineered turbocharging, air and fluid compression, and high-speed electric motor technologies for original equipment manufacturers ('OEMs') and distributors within the mobility and industrial space.
The company has significant expertise in delivering products at scale for internal combustion engi...
Garrett Motion Inc. (Garrett) is a cutting-edge technology leader delivering differentiated solutions for emission reduction and energy efficiency.
The company designs, manufactures and sells highly engineered turbocharging, air and fluid compression, and high-speed electric motor technologies for original equipment manufacturers ('OEMs') and distributors within the mobility and industrial space.
The company has significant expertise in delivering products at scale for internal combustion engines ('ICE') using gasoline, diesel, natural gas and hydrogen, as well as for zero emission technologies using hydrogen fuel cell systems, both for mobility and industrial use. As the company's customers continue to progress on electrification, the company is applying its technological pillars to develop highly engineered E-Powertrain and E-Cooling compressor products to support their ambition. These products are key enablers for fuel economy, energy efficiency, thermal management, and compliance with emissions standards and overall greenhouse gas and other emission reduction targets.
The company's growth strategy in zero emission technologies is to focus on solving OEMs' pain points with existing technologies and bring differentiated technologies for traction (E-Powertrain) and thermal management (E-Cooling compressor), leveraging a unique set of technology pillars that are hard to replicate by competitors like high-speed motors and power electronics, controls software, oil-less bearings and system integration. These technology pillars have been developed by Garrett over the past decade and require significant and sustained research and development ('R&D') investments, resulting in the successful launch of E-Boosting and fuel cell compressor applications. They bring unique features to the company's offerings in terms of energy efficiency, lower weight and packaging requirements that are highly valued by the company's customers.
Industry
The company provides cutting-edge technology for the mobility and industrial space, including light vehicles, commercial vehicles and industrial applications. The company's products include mechanical and electrical products for turbocharging and boosting internal combustion engines, as well as compressing air for fuel cell compressors, and compressing refrigerant for electric cooling compressors.
As of 2024, the company’s primary source of sales is associated with the global turbocharger industry for gasoline, diesel and natural gas engines across light vehicle, commercial vehicle and industrial applications. Sales also come from E-Boosting solutions and hydrogen fuel cell compression solutions, already manufactured at scale.
At the same time, the company has developed unique technological competencies, which the company intends to continue leveraging to solve the company's customers' energy related challenges in the electrification evolution related to hybrids and electric powertrains. The company is developing solutions and increasing the company's research and development ('R&D') spend, focusing more than 50% of total R&D expenditure in 2024 on technologies for electrification, including zero emission technologies, fuel cell compressors for a broad range of cell stack power (40kW to 250kW) and high value electric vehicle components, including E-Powertrain and E-Cooling Compressor technologies.
Products
The company is a global leader in the $11 billion OEM turbocharger industry. Continuous product innovation to bring innovative and differentiated technologies for electric vehicles (E-Powertrain and E-Cooling compressors), fuel cell compressors and solutions beyond automotive are the new challenges the company is embracing and pursuing.
Internal combustion light vehicle products
Gasoline: The global adoption of turbochargers by OEMs on gasoline engines has increased rapidly from approximately 14% in 2013 to approximately 49% in 2024 and is forecasted by S&P to increase to 51% by 2025. In addition to the volume growth, tightening of CO2 regulations is driving a technology shift, moving away from standard waste gate technology to variable geometry turbo (VNT) which is a premium technology that offers the company technological competitive advantages. In 2016, the company launched its first high-volume VNT gasoline application, and this technology is expected to experience increased adoption in years to come. According to a forecast by S&P, VNT represented 38% of global turbo gasoline production in 2024, and is expected to reach 60% by 2029. A key to the company’s strategy for gasoline growth is thus to leverage its technological leadership in high-temperature materials and variable geometry, as well as its scale, global footprint and in-market capabilities to meet the technological demands of global OEMs.
Diesel: The company has a long history of technology leadership in diesel engine turbochargers. Despite the diesel industry's weakness for some vehicle segments, the majority of the company's diesel turbocharger revenues come from heavier and bigger vehicles like SUVs, pickup trucks and light commercial vehicles (such as delivery vans), which remain a stable part of the diesel industry. Diesel maintains a unique advantage in terms of fuel consumption, cost of ownership, and towing capacity which makes it the powertrain of choice for heavier vehicle applications. Diesel also remains essential for OEMs to meet their CO2 fleet average regulatory target going forward, as diesel vehicles produce less CO2 on average than gasoline vehicles.
Hybrid vehicles: The company provides a comprehensive portfolio of turbocharger and electric-boosting technologies to manufacturers of hybrid-electric powertrains. OEMs have increased their adoption of hybrid technologies in light of stricter regulatory standards. Similar to turbochargers for gasoline and diesel engines, turbochargers for hybrid vehicles are an essential component of maximizing fuel efficiency and overall engine performance. The company’s products provide OEMs with solutions that further optimize engine performance and position the company well as they add more hybrid-electric vehicles into their fleets.
Internal combustion commercial vehicles & industrial products
The company has maintained its strategic relationship with key commercial vehicle OEMs for over 70 years as well as industry-leading positions for both on- and off-highway use. The company's products improve engine performance and enable lower emissions on trucks, buses, agriculture equipment, construction equipment and mining equipment with engine sizes ranging 1.8L to 100L. The company continues to develop its product range to serve more engine needs, even beyond automotive. For example, the company is expanding the application of its turbochargers to power generation, marine applications, and data centers.
Hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles & industrial products
The company provides a comprehensive range of electric air compressors to manufacturers of fuel cell systems. The company's system consists of efficient, powerful, and lightweight air compressors using leading automotive technologies to boost fuel cell vehicles. Air supply is critical for performance, durability and H2 fuel consumption / range for applications equipped with H2 fuel cells. The company launched the auto industry's first fuel cell production car application in 2016. The company now provides a comprehensive portfolio of fuel cell air compressors covering a broad range of fuel cell stack power from 30kW to 250+kW and the company will launch its third generation of fuel cell products in 2024.
Electric (battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell electric) vehicles & industrial products
Leveraging a set of unique technological building blocks, the company is now offering to the company's customers disruptive solutions for electric traction (E-Powertrain) and electric thermal management (E-Cooling compressor) that can enhance an application's energy efficiency in a reduced packaging space and with significant weight savings. The company's customers have taken note of these products, and the company is engaged in a number of pre-development programs with OEMs in all regions.
Aftermarket and performance products
The company's Garrett aftermarket brand has strong recognition across distributors and garages globally and is known for boosting performance, quality, and reliability. It operates through a distribution network of more than 340 distributors covering 165 countries. The aftermarket business has historically provided a stable stream of revenue supported by a large installed base, currently estimated at nearly 140 million vehicles. As turbocharger penetration rates continue to increase, the company expects that its installed base and aftermarket opportunities will continue to grow. It is also working to broaden its portfolio with its Remanufactured (REMAN) offering in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, as well as North America, which has so far increased its portfolio with over 300 additional applications. This initiative provides the additional benefit of utilizing recovered parts while maintaining required quality standards by using original components and original assembly processes in its REMAN workshops.
Strategy
Garrett invests in innovative technologies that address the needs of the company's customers in the ongoing auto industry transformation. This continued investment into differentiated technology, coupled with the company's relentless focus on customer relationships and the company's global capabilities, allows the company to drive the following business strategies: strengthen the company's leadership in the turbocharger industry within the light vehicle, commercial vehicle and industrial space; leverage the company's differentiated technology to solve key challenges for zero emission vehicles; and grow the company's aftermarket business.
Research, Development and Intellectual Property
The company’s total R&D expenses were $187 million for the year ended December 31, 2024.
The company currently holds approximately 1,300 patents and patents pending. The company’s current patents are expected to expire between 2025 and 2044.
Customers
The company’s global customer base includes most light vehicle commercial vehicle OEMs, including top global OEMs. The company’s ten largest applications in 2024 were with six different OEMs. OEM sales were approximately 85% of its 2024 revenues while the company’s aftermarket and other products contributed 15%.
The company’s largest customer is Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (BMW). In 2024, BMW accounted for 12%, respectively, of the company’s total sales. In 2024, its sales to Ford Motor Company (Ford), its second largest customer, were 10% of its total sales.
Seasonality
The company's business is typically moderately seasonal. Its primary North American customers historically reduce production during the months of July and December; European customers generally reduce production during the months of July, August, and December; and Chinese customers often reduce production during the period surrounding the Chinese New Year. Shut-down periods in the rest of the world generally vary by country. In addition, automotive production is traditionally reduced in the months of July, August, and September due to the launch of parts production for new vehicle models. Accordingly, the company's results reflect this seasonality.
The company also typically experiences seasonality in cash flow, as a relatively small portion of the company's full year cash flow is typically generated in the first quarter of the year (year ended December 2024) and a relatively large portion in the last quarter.
History
Garrett Motion Inc. was incorporated in 2018.