When we caught up with Allen Park, MI-based EcoMotors earlier this month, Amit Soman, the company’s president and chief operating officer, told us to expect an acquisition soon. That came to fruition this week when EcoMotors announced it has acquired Katech, a Clinton Township, MI-based manufacturing company known for developing advanced engines and powertrains. The terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.
Despite the acquisition, Katech CEO Tony Mannarino says Katech will continue to operate as it always has. The company will help EcoMotors expand its testing, R&D, and manufacturing capabilities. “EcoMotors will be our customer, but we’ll also help support them,” Mannarino says.
Mannarino says the acquisition benefits the 37-year-old company by allowing it to grow and offer more services at larger facilities. “It’s a very positive move,” he adds.
EcoMotors has developed an “opposing piston opposing cylinder” engine, which it claims weighs less, uses fewer parts and is thus less expensive than traditional four-stroke engines and can increase automobile efficiency by up to 60 percent. The technology could help commercial fleets reach the new corporate average fuel-economy standards put out by the U.S. government.
