Textron is promoting and rewarding innovations such as the new Kautex Environmental Simulation Dome, which saves time and money by testing fuel systems in extreme conditions without ever leaving the factory.

Innovation keeps us on the competitive edge, and Textron employees around the world are being inspired to solve problems by thinking in new ways. One example, Kautex’s new Environmental Simulation Dome, allows fuel systems to be pre-tested in extreme driving conditions without ever leaving the factory. This new invention saves time and money for both Kautex and the customer. Not only will Kautex achieve significant savings on testing, but it will also generate new revenue by licensing the technology. Kautex continued to innovate in 2002 by introducing breakthrough plastic fuel systems that will help auto manufacturers meet the toughest emissions requirements in the world, the Partial Zero Emission Vehicle requirements set by the state of California. In 2002, Kautex received two of the world’s first production orders for these environment-friendly systems, which will begin to appear in automobiles within the next 3-4 years. At that time, California alone is expected to require some 400,000 vehicles to meet these new standards. Innovations like the Environmental Simulation Dome and others have been recognized with the “Textron Chairman’s Award for Innovation,” designed to celebrate and reward employees whose innovations directly contribute to Textron’s growth, profitability or competitive position. Eighty-seven innovations were recognized through this program in 2002 as part of an ongoing effort to inculcate a passion for innovation and drive customer satisfaction and organic growth throughout the Textron family of companies.