Powertrain’s roots stem back to the 1970s when current, owner David Etherington, left Leyland Motors and started his own business initially specialising in providing parts and mechanical transmissions to support vehicles produced by both Leyland and Guy Motors.
Due to demand, the company needed to expand its operation, so in 1978 a two acre site in the West Midlands was purchased and building commenced on the new premises, with particular emphasis being placed on developing advanced testing facilities where a golden rule was implemented “Testing Takes Priority.”
Further investment came in 1980 when a company by the name of Barnard Engineering, a specialist remanufacturer based in Walsall, was purchased and merged into Powertrain’s remanufacturing facility. This brought in new experience and expertise, further enhancing Powertrain’s knowledge and opportunities.
In 1981, Powertrain were appointed ZF’s Service Partner and continued to develop an excellent reputation for supplying quality remanufactured transmissions, axles and steering.
With its expansion continuing, Powertrain required even more space and so in 1983 Powertrain expands its Willenhall facility, with the purchase of an adjacent property. This allowed for new offices and workshop space to be built, housing the increased numbers of staff Powertrain required to meet customers’ demands.
By the late 2000’s Powertrain’s team of strategically located mobile technicians had grown sufficiently to be able to provide cover for the whole of the UK, basically taking both its specialist repair service and its diagnostic service direct to the customers own premises.
2016 saw Powertrain invest over £2 million pounds building a new National Service Centre adjacent to its main remanufacturing plant. The new facility, with 8 Commercial Vehicle bays, is capable of accepting any size vehicle, which has given the Powertrain team an unrivalled working environment in which to expand even further. To complement this investment, a new test facility has been developed which enables all types of Transmissions, Axles and Differentials to be load tested, therefore simulating actual operating conditions. Basically, nothing leaves Powertrain unless it has completed its full test cycle and meets the stringent requirements
2018 brought a new direction when Powertrain was awarded Allison Transmission’s Sole Direct Dealership for the whole of the UK - a reflection of Powertrain's long proven track record serving the Truck, Bus and Off Highway Industries.
Powertrain is still a family owned business supporting the various Transport industries, operating a team of Mobile Diagnostic Service Engineers covering the length and breadth of the UK. In a typical day Powertrain engineers can be found as far afield as Cornwall, Inverness or even the Orkney Isles.
