Escondido-based TransPower, a maker of electric-drive systems for big-rig trucks and industrial-site tractors, is on a growth path.
It’s quietly shifting away from prototyping and R&D, and transitioning toward production work as other companies such as Tesla trumpet their plans for electric trucks and heavy vehicles.
TransPower, which cut its teeth converting heavy vehicles to electric drive, is starting to sell kits that let truck makers do the same at their own factories. An initial customer is Kalmar Ottawa, a Kansas business that makes tractors that move shipping containers around cargo terminals. TransPower inked a five-year supply agreement with Kalmar, said Michael Simon, TransPower’s CEO.
The Kit
A typical kit costs more than $100,000. It includes an electric motor, a battery system, controls and accessories that use a battery power supply.
TransPower received a strategic investment from Michigan truck parts maker Meritor Inc., closing the deal Nov. 20. Simon declined to give the sum, saying only that it is in the millions of dollars. Meritor (NYSE: MTOR), which had $3.35 billion in revenue in 2017, has options to purchase up to half of TransPower. Such a move would potentially bring its investment into the tens of millions, Simon said.
Emphasizing Production
The Meritor investment let TransPower double its workforce, Simon said. The company has grown rapidly from 32 employees in October to 60 now. TransPower moved from the Poway Business Park to larger quarters in Escondido during the fourth quarter of 2016. Recently it supplemented its 28,000-square-foot main building on Auto Park Way with a 42,000-square-foot annex.
Revenue is in the $10 million range, and the company is “modestly profitable,” the CEO said. “We live within our means.” Simon said he would like to double revenue in the coming year and triple it the year after that. Such aggressive goals mean TransPower will have to emphasize production over R&D.
The company produced 14 electric tractors under an R&D program, with funds coming largely from state agencies.
Dole Food Co. Inc. uses a TransPower modified vehicle at its banana import terminal at the Port of San Diego. TransPower plans to deliver a second vehicle in March.
The electric drive vehicles are seen as a way to cut down on diesel truck emissions in cities. The residents of Barrio Logan, who live near the marine terminal and freeways, say they get an unfair share of such vehicle pollution.
Also planned are heavy electric service vehicles for two San Diego ship repair yards.
San Diego Gas & Electric recently announced that it is installing 30-40 electric vehicle chargers at the Port of San Diego to support electric working vehicles. It is part of a larger initiative in San Diego County.
Farther afield, furniture retailer Ikea uses an electric tractor with a TransPower powertrain at its Southern California distribution center at the south end of the San Joaquin Valley. The vehicle has been running three and a half years, Simon said, and works as much as 18 hours a day. TransPower will soon provide Ikea with a second, similar vehicle.
Cap-And-Trade Funding
TransPower is one of the largest recipients of cap-and-trade funding in California, Simon noted, estimating his company has received more than $10 million in the last three years. Under the state government’s system, companies pay fees for allowances letting them emit greenhouse gases. The government, in turn, sends the greenhouse gas reduction funds toward work such as the zero-emission vehicles. Public agencies steer such fees to TransPower.
Other TransPower clients include the Port of Los Angeles as well as the South Coast Air Quality Management District.
It’s not all electric power at TransPower.
Simon said the company has a relatively minor project adapting vehicles to run on hydrogen fuel cells.
CEO: Michael Simon
Revenue: About $10 million per year
No. of local employees: 60, plus 10 temporary employees
Investors: Michael Simon, Meritor Inc.
Headquarters: Escondido
Year founded: 2010
Company description: Producer of electric-drive systems for heavy vehicles.
