TJM works with OEMs to be launch ready

TJM Australia says close collaborations with OEMs will continue to form a vital piece of its new product development puzzle, with several Thai-based manufacturers set to work closely with the Australian-based off-road accessories specialist as vehicle model cycles are renewed.

As was witnessed with the recent launch of the Mitsubishi Triton, TJM’s coverage across both Thai and Australian production grounds enables the manufacturer to be ready with a complete range of products from the get-go.

According to Aeroklas Asia Pacific Group – the parent company of TJM – chief executive officer, Greg Kelly, such collaboration gives the brand a competitive advantage in not only offering customers what they need straight away, but in providing manufacturers with both TJM-branded and white-labelled accessories from day one.

“Aeroklas does some of the development of some OEM products, and that is under the OEM label, but we will also develop a range of aftermarket products,” Mr Kelly told GoAuto at last week’s TJM’s Volkswagen Amarok accessories line unveiling in Melbourne.

“So, the Aeroklas product is often not branded. It will have Ford or Mazda or Volkswagen or Isuzu badging.

“And that also means those products are quite separate to our own – the aftermarket product is kept very separate – because there is a strong relationship that is built on integrity, and from an aftermarket point of view, we’re in a race just like everybody else.

“We (TJM) don’t get to see any of the CAD designs early, and to be quite honest we’re okay with that.”

As well as protecting a manufacturer’s IP, the development of individually designed products enables TJM to better tailor solutions to various markets.

While a bullbar may look like a bullbar to most, there are differences – both aesthetic and functional – that customers expect, depending largely on where and how a product will be utilised.

Mr Kelly said that the relationship between an OEM, Aeroklas (as the parent company) and TJM was one that is highly valued, and that can also deliver pleasant surprises.

The arrival of a complete range of TJM aftermarket accessories at the launch of the new Mitsubishi Triton recently showed how close ties can aid in bringing products to market sooner, while not detracting from so-called white-labelled (or OEM-supplied) accessories.

“Aeroklas has had a strong relationship and has been working with Mitsubishi globally over many years,” he said.

“But what’s happened is, over time, as we’ve developed all the TJM products, and they’ve started to see the range of products, Mitsubishi has looked at the range of product the whole group can bring together and said, ‘how do we partner with somebody that has got the ability and capability to not only design these great products, but bring those product (to market)’.

“The products we put on the Triton at the global launch brought that car up magnificently. They looked great. But that collaboration really did start with Aeroklas and that long association we’re fortunate to be part of.

“It is all part of an ongoing shift that is taking TJM from a domestic player to a global player; and with Aeroklas, we’re basically able to own all aspects of accessory development from very early on … and, as I mentioned, we can manage any nuances or differences between markets across the globe.”

Increasingly, Australian off-road and trade accessories are becoming the datum by which OEM accessories are developed. Ford recently tied with ARB to create an extensive portfolio of launch-ready accessories, all with ADR approval, and all being ready in time for the vehicle’s launch.

Mr Kelly said TJM will increasingly offer similar levels to other OEMs, with Mitsubishi being the first of several designed with market-specific needs and tastes in mind.

“The (engineering) team is already working on a number of future products, and with Mitsubishi (Triton) in particular, you will see some slight differences that we want for the Australian market,” he added.

“First and foremost, we must make sure our product is ADR compliant, which means it will undergo rigorous testing. But I can say that the Thai product we saw at the launch is a wonderfully designed and manufactured product and we will be taking some cues from it.

“If there is anything we can improve on, we’ll feed that back into the process. That’s part of our philosophy. We work together on everything we do and at every opportunity we get to tweak and improve the product itself.”

The Mitsubishi Triton will go on sale locally from February with a range of OEM and TJM accessories expected to be ready at or shortly after the vehicle’s launch.