Browns Thermal Engineering strengthens automotive product range with Bosch partnership

Browns Thermal Engineering Ltd. (BTEL), the manufacturing arm of Browns Group, recently signed an agreement with Roberts Bosch Lanka Ltd., the local subsidiary of global technology and services supplier Bosch. The agreement will make Browns a distributor of world renowned quality products such as diesel pump parts, wiper blades, spark plugs, automotive bulbs, horns, filters, brake fluid, brake shoes, clutch plates, brake pads, belts, battery charges, and many others. 

Thus, Sri Lankan consumers will now have access to long lasting spare parts at affordable prices. In turn the partnership will give Bosch access to Browns’ strong dealer network for auto parts across the island thereby allowing the international brand to strengthen its presence in the local market.

“This partnership brings together two companies with a longstanding heritage of excellence,” said Robert Bosch Lanka Ltd. Managing Director Swami Nathan. “Bosch improves quality of life worldwide with products and services that are innovative and spark enthusiasm and Browns continues to enhance the lives of their stakeholders through innovative and customer-centric solutions. For this reason, we believe this partnership will be a natural fit that will greatly benefit the people of Sri Lanka and help us increase our footprint in the country.”

Commenting on the partnership Brown and Company PLC Chief Operating Officer Danesh Abeyrathne said, “As consumer spending in Sri Lanka has increased significantly in the past few months we see great potential in the automotive industry and have sought a long term partnership with an experienced and world renowned player in this arena, that is why we chose to partner with Bosch. We believe that their unparalleled products coupled with our unique understanding of the local customer will allow us to unlock this potential and pave the way for a prosperous future.”

Browns Thermal Engineering Assistant General Manager Asanga Peiris added, “Today Bosch is the number one place for the best automotive technologies that guarantee optimal performance. And at Browns we always seek to provide our consumers with the best in every industry we operate to help make their lives easier. Hence, we expect this partnership to directly impact the consumer in a positive way. Consumers can expect to see their overall maintenance costs drop and the lifespan of their vehicles increase thanks to the exacting standards of Bosch. Therefore, we fully expect this partnership to make us the final word in automotive spare parts in Sri Lanka.”

A wholly owned subsidiary of Brown & Company PLC, BTEL is the only large-scale manufacturer of heat exchanges in Sri Lanka and is the market leader in the auto and industrial radiator segments. BTEL currently manufactures brass and copper radiators under the brand name of RADCO at the company’s factory, which is located at the Browns Industrial Park in Makandura, Pannala. Browns Thermal also owns and operates a plastic moulding facility that supplies plastic components to the battery industry in Sri Lanka.

In 1982 Browns was in the business of exporting radiators to Saudi Arabia and 10 years later commenced supplying locomotive radiators to the government run railway services. Introducing corrugated radiators to the Sri Lankan market in 1988, Browns with an affiliation with a local corporate, went on to manufacture industrial radiators and then manufacture heat exchangers for tea, rubber and coconut dryers.

In 2014 Browns Thermal Engineering Ltd secured a deal with APR Energy USA, a global leader in the under-served market for rapidly deployable, large-scale power and the world’s leading provider of fast-track mobile turbine power.

BTEL, continues to excel in the radiator industry both locally and internationally, marketing products under the RADCO brand. The business unit, also in the business of distributing radiators to emergency power suppliers overseas, is one of the main suppliers to Sri Lanka Railway, Sri Lanka Ports Authority, Ceylon Electricity Board and almost all other Generator importers in Sri Lanka. BTEL is also a proud supplier for locally assembled UNIMO Vehicles as an OE supplier.

In addition, BTEL has a network of over 500 dealers island-wide. With its first service centre in Colombo, Browns Thermal hopes to reach out to its clients’ island-wide with plans underway to open branches in various strategic locations around the country.

Since its inception in 1969, then operating under Browns Group Industries Ltd., it has come a long way, achieved significant successes and reached noteworthy milestones in the industry.

The Bosch Group is a leading global supplier of technology and services. Its operations are divided into four business sectors: Mobility Solutions, Industrial Technology, Consumer Goods, and Energy and Building Technology. The Bosch Group’s strategic objective is to deliver innovations for a connected life. The basis for the company’s future growth is its innovative strength. At 125 locations across the globe, Bosch employs some 69,500 associates in research and development. It opened its first office in Sri Lanka in 2015 after identifying the country as an important growth market. 

Brown & Company PLC is a diversified conglomerate managing a fast growing and valuable portfolio of brands across several key industry sectors such as power generation, home and office solutions, agriculture and plantation support services, pharmaceuticals, investments, marine and manufacturing, and healthcare. A deep understanding of Sri Lankan consumer needs derived from being in business for over 140 years has made the Group thrive in all its sectors of operation. The Browns Group has been able to evolve and adapt to changing times and, most importantly, to changing customer needs.