TPCATS: Built to Last

Staffordshire-based TPCATS specialises in the manufacture of stainless steel manifolds, front pipes and catalytic converters to OE standards. Production to an OE standard of course ensures a high level of quality, and the company comments that its stainless steel products are far more efficient and reliable than ceramic alternatives, yet they are available at comparable prices. And as TPCATS has confidence that its products will not break, rattle or fail an emissions test, it is happy to offer a three-year warranty as standard on its constantly growing range. The result, says TPCATS, is fewer returns, less failures and less hassle for customers. TPCATS boasts a valid warranty claims rate of less than 1 per cent, far below the aftermarket standard of 4 per cent.

A range made up of over 900 emission control devices is available from TPCATS, a quantity representing 95 per cent of the EU sales volume. The company’s product portfolio caters for over 2,500 vehicles, with over 20 new applications added and 9,000 units sold each month. The company states its products conform to both existing and future legislation, and feature a 100 per cent stainless steel construction, including converter core. Formed from corrugated stainless steel, each core is coated in platinum group metals – which are the most active available for abating exhaust emissions. The core design draws upon specialist expertise in metallurgy and engine technologies, reports TPCATS, allowing the delivery of high engine performance, low fuel consumption, low exhaust back pressure and excellent drive-ability for the end-user.

The advantage of metallic catalysts over their ceramic counterparts are numerous, reports TPCATS, They are highly active, conduct heat faster than ceramic catalysts, and are highly resistant to thermal shock. Metallic catalysts also last longer – up to five years – and are four times less likely to fail. The company reports exceptional emissions performance for its products when compared with those produced by competitors.

This performance continues throughout the catalytic converter’s lifespan, TPCATS adds. Therefore, after 25,000 miles a TPCATS catalytic converter is 500 per cent more effective than a ceramic converter. Unlike competitor’s products, says the company, a TPCATS converter will not fail an MOT emissions test when fitted to a properly maintained vehicle. Unless other parts are faulty, TPCATS ensures a passed test and the on-board diagnostics light remains off – confirming effective performance and ending the motorist’s worries.

Due to their construction – with an outer stainless steel casing that firmly fixes the stainless steel core by mechanical pressure – TPCATS should not ever rattle or shake. Furthermore, unlike a ceramic core, a TPCATS stainless steel core does not shatter when compressed and is said to be virtually unbreakable.

The company, founded in 2002 under the name TP Engineering LTD, has expanded rapidly. TPCATS now employs more than 50 staff and boasts a turnover in excess of 7.5 million euros. The company’s premises has expanded almost five-fold within six years to its current size of 35,000 square feet. The TPCATS range is sold across the UK and Europe through a network of specialist distributors. New subsidiaries in Belgium and Germany are already generating significant orders and building the brand on the continent.