27 June 2023, Banbury, UK. Prodrive’s Advanced Technology division has entered into a partnership with innovative engineering firm Sunswap to build battery and solar-powered Transport Refrigeration Units (TRUs). Work has already started at Sunswap’s research and development facility in Surrey, where Prodrive and Sunswap engineers are collaborating to optimise the final production units that will roll off the assembly line in early 2024.
The team at Prodrive will help Sunswap to accelerate their journey to production by leveraging their unique blend of cross sector experience and offering invaluable technological insights and solutions to aid a smooth transition from prototype development to mass production. Prodrive, well known for its world championship motorsport success, has long been transferring its engineering expertise into the other markets for the last 30 years.
Sunswap’s mission is to support the transition away from diesel TRUs, thereby decarbonising the transport industry’s refrigerated supply chains – as well as removing harmful Nitrogen Oxides and particulate matter from the air we breathe.
Already backed with investment and support from Barclays and Clean Growth Fund, Sunswap has been moving through the final design iterations to bring their cost-effective, zero-emission TRUs to production. Their first customers include global logistics firm DFDS, and they are busy attracting more, after recent successful trials with major distributors such as Müller Milk & Dairy.
Andrew Sucis, Sunswap Co-Founder and COO, said:
“We’re excited to be collaborating with Prodrive to ensure our production units meet the highest manufacturing standards. When we first met them, they immediately gave us confidence, due to their depth of experience and understanding.”
Iain Roche, Prodrive Advanced Technology Managing Director, said:
“We are proud to be working with Sunswap on the manufacture of their units to help deliver the highest level of efficiency and durability. They’re a passionate team dedicated to decarbonising the cold chain industry, and we’re pleased to be part of their innovative journey.”
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For more information please contact:
e: media@prodrive.com
t: +44 (0)1295 273355
NOTES TO EDITORS
About Prodrive
Prodrive is one of the world’s largest and most successful motorsport and technology businesses. Over 500 staff are employed across its Banbury headquarters and composites manufacturing facility in Milton Keynes. While the company is perhaps best known for motorsport, today it is just one part of an organisation that in the last decade has diversified to become a technology business working in a range of sectors and providing a range of services. Within the Prodrive Group, there are four distinct but interconnected business areas: Motorsport, operating race and rally programmes for vehicle manufacturers and global brands; Advanced Technology, providing innovative technology for the automotive, aerospace, defence, and marine sectors; Composites, developing lightweight composite components for the automotive, aerospace and marine sectors; and Brand& developing bespoke clothing and accessories for leading brands.