written like an advertisement . please help improve it by removing promotional content and inappropriate external links and by adding encyclopedic content written from a neutral point of view . january 2012 learn how and when to remove this template message gkn driveline type division industry automotive headquarters redditch united kingdom area served worldwide products automotive components revenue 2 678 million 2011 1 operating income 191 million 2011 1 number of employees 21 200 2011 parent gkn plc website gkn.com driveline gkn driveline is a multinational automotive components manufacturer specialising in driveline technologies . a division of gkn plc it employs around 22 000 people at 56 locations across 22 countries . 2 gkn driveline is the world s largest producer of constant velocity joints which it pioneered for use in automobiles . 3 its other products include sideshafts propshafts power transfer units differentials awd couplings disconnects electric rear axles and electric drive transmissions . 4 contents 1 history 2 products research and development 2.1 cvj systems 2.2 awd systems 2.3 trans axle solutions 2.4 edrive 3 references 4 external links 5 bibliography history edit the origin of gkn guest keen & nettlefolds goes back to 1759 and the founding of the dowlais ironworks by the industrialists thomas lewis and isaac wilkinson . 5 it has changed shape and direction many times to hold its place in the engineering industry . the company took part in the railway boom in the early 1800s with its production of iron then steel in the 1860s and after the first world war the automotive industry . citation needed in 1966 after being advised gkn steel would be nationalised for the second time gkn bought cvj market leaders birfield industries with its subsidiaries hardy spicer and laycock engineering with their interests and subsidiaries in europe japan and usa to save its brd subsidiary . 6 it was the start of the company s globalization . gkn establish a manufacturing presence in china in 1988 . at the same time gkn driveline was investing in and growing its business in india brazil and mexico . citation needed products research and development edit cvj systems edit ... transfer power from the engine to the wheels allowing articulation and movement from steering and suspension . 7 the three major elements are inboard constant velocity joints cvj including lubrication and sealing systems interconnecting shafts and outboard constant velocity joint cvj including lubrication and sealing system . the inboard joint is a plunging joint that allows the effective length of the sideshaft to adjust due to suspension movement . the outboard joint needs to transfer power effectively through a wide range of angles up to 53 degrees . awd systems edit ... are for all wheel drive awd vehicles . 8 gkn driveline has unique developments for partial or full awd vehicles . as a solutions provider with advanced technology innovation and a depth of understanding in awd systems gkn driveline is a key partner for the world s vehicle manufacturers . within awd systems gkn driveline offers one two or three piece high speed propshafts made from steel aluminium or composite tubes . forefront example of this technology is used in the custom made to order by ford performance for the ford focus rs launched in 2016 . it utilizes an intelligent torque vectoring awd system with rear differentials . trans axle solutions edit ... cover an extensive range of open differentials limited slip and locking differentials and advanced products like electronic torque vectoring . 9 the wide range of differentials available is used in passenger cars sports car suvs and light truck . limited slip and locking differentials are designed to improve vehicle traction and handling performance on all surfaces and under all driving conditions . they ensure driving and braking power is effectively distributed across the axle to the wheels therefore providing unsurpassed levels of stability handling traction and overall vehicle control . edrive edit ... systems are the solutions from driveline which include advanced technology centered on continuous improvement and innovation in the application of alternative power and sustainable energy in systems that deliver performance . 10 major successes are the developing families of eaxles and etransmissions across multiple customer programmes . eaxles support the electrification of a vehicle as secondary driven axle while the primary engine is still a combustion engine and therefore can be disconnected . etransmissions on the contrary manage the torque on the primary axle of fully electrified vehicles . the eaxle drive module is a compact lightweight gear with an actively controlled clutch for electric motor assisted awd . the eaxle unit for axle split hybrid electric vehicle incorporates a proprietary disconnect clutch technology which facilitates on demand all wheel drive awd use and contributes to the overall all terrain functionality and fuel efficiency . electric drive transmissions can transmit up to 300 kw of power they are available with ratios up to 14 and can be matched with e motors from various suppliers to allow flexible application . through the global research and new product development located in asia europe and the americas gkn driveline develops solutions to improve driving dynamics for the future . references edit a b annual report and accounts 2011 pdf . gkn plc. retrieved 9 july 2012 . gkn driveline home . gkn plc. retrieved 25 april 2014 . confucius rules at gkn . the economist . 14 september 2000 . retrieved 8 july 2012 . gkn driveline our solutions . gkn plc. retrieved 25 april 2014 . andrew lorenz gkn . the making of a business 1759 2009 2009 andrew lorenz gkn the making of a business wiley uk 2009 isbn 9780470749531 gkn driveline cvj overview . gkn plc. retrieved 25 april 2014 . gkn driveline awd overview . gkn plc. retrieved 25 april 2014 . gkn driveline trans axle overview . gkn plc. retrieved 25 april 2014 . gkn driveline edrive overview . gkn plc. retrieved 25 april 2014 . external links edit gkn driveline gkn gkn250 bibliography edit lorenz andrew gkn.the making of a business 1759 2009 . john wiley & sons ltd 2009 jones edgar a history of gkn . volume one innovation & enterprise 1759 1918 . gkn plc 1987 jones edgar a history of gkn . volume two the growth of a business 1918 1945 . gkn plc 1990 gkn plc factsheet http www.gkn.com media documents gknfactsheet final.pdf 12.08.2011 v t e gkn people arthur keen thomas lewis joseph henry nettlefold kevin smith chow chung kong isaac wilkinson subsidiaries gkn driveline john lysaght and co. vandervell volvo aero products fv432 related facilities dowlais ironworks v t e automotive industry in the united kingdom manufacturing in the united kingdom economy of the united kingdom companies and marques commercial vehicle producers current alexander dennis plaxton dennis eagle ibc 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