Xtrac Celebrates Four Decades Of High-Performance Engineering And Innovation

Published: Thursday, July 4, 2024, 20:36 [IST]

The employees of Xtrac celebrated 40 years of high-performance engineering and customer service on Friday, 28 June. The event took place at a countryside venue near the company’s headquarters in Thatcham, Berkshire. Significant gearbox developments and race-winning cars supported by Xtrac were displayed for employees and their partners.

Chief executive Adrian Moore reflected on the company's achievements since its establishment on 15 June 1984. "As we stepped into our fifth decade, we felt we could take a moment to pause and marvel at the incredible journey Xtrac has been on," said Moore. "Our commitment to engineering excellence, hard work and customer service has propelled us to become the world’s leading supplier of transmissions for top-level motorsport and high-performance road cars. It’s a testament to the collective effort that has brought us here and inspires us for the exciting future that awaits."

President Peter Digby, one of the company’s first employees, commented on the early days: "The journey began with Mike Endean, who developed the G4 gearbox for rallycross star Martin Schanche’s Ford Escort. The G4’s success in European Rallycross during the 1980s laid the foundation for Xtrac’s ethos of exceptional products and great customer service. It was a pleasure to welcome Mike as our guest of honour at our celebration."

Xtrac's initial success in off-road and Group A rally categories led to collaborations with major manufacturers like Mazda, Mitsubishi, Opel, and Toyota. In 1989, Onyx contracted Xtrac to develop a transverse gearbox for Formula 1. This move into Formula 1 saw Xtrac supplying most teams within a few years, including McLaren, BAR, Minardi, Benetton, Jordan, Tyrrell, and Williams.

In the 1990s, Xtrac expanded into various motorsport categories such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans and British Touring Car Championship (BTCC). The company introduced sequential gearboxes to rallying, enhancing vehicle performance with its reputation for reliability being a key selling point.

Entering the new millennium, Xtrac secured significant single-supply contracts starting with IndyCar in 1999. This required rapid production of 100 gearboxes and led to constructing an 88,000-square-foot factory in Thatcham in 2000. In 2003, Xtrac established its first American operation in Indianapolis to support US customers.

Diversification into High-Performance Automotive Sector

Beyond motorsport, Xtrac has built an exceptional reputation within its high-performance automotive business over the last two decades. Since its first project for Tesla prototypes in 2006 and Rolls-Royce's Phantom Experimental Electric prototype in 2011, Xtrac has significantly expanded into EV and hybrid transmissions. It also supplies transmissions for hydrogen combustion engine prototypes as the industry pursues alternative propulsion systems for reaching net zero emissions.

Today, about 65 per cent of Xtrac's business is motorsport-related while 35 per cent focuses on high-performance road cars. The company produces over a quarter of a million parts annually through robust design and manufacturing processes at its Thatcham plant.

Commitment to Innovation

Xtrac continues to innovate with over £3 million invested in their manufacturing facility over the past year. "We are always looking to the future," says Moore. "Whilst we felt it was appropriate to spend an evening with our staff and their partners reflecting on the past 40 years, we are always looking forward."

The Thatcham plant includes advanced machinery needed to manufacture gearbox components and complete systems in-house. It also features high-security data systems, transmission control system software development capabilities, and a dedicated R&D department.

Xtrac Academy

The Xtrac Academy trains apprentices and graduates who often remain with the company long after completing their training. Over fifty current staff members have been trained through this scheme.

Xtrac employs around 500 people globally including highly qualified engineers trained through award-winning apprentice schemes. MiddleGround Capital acquired a majority shareholding in July 2023 marking its first acquisition by its European office.

Xtrac exports around 70 per cent of its manufacturing output worldwide including Asia, Australia, Europe, North America & South America.