Archive
Celebrating a Century of Leadership
Customers Mark Payen® Centenary With Trip to Historic Northern Italy Where better to celebrate one of the world’s most successful motor vehicle parts brands than in the automotive capital of Europe – Turin, Italy!
To help mark the Payen® sealing brand’s Centenary, Federal-Mogul invited a group of distinguished parts distributors to visit the picturesque home of Fiat and Lancia, tour the Federal-Mogul Sealing Systems manufacturing facility in nearby Chivasso, and enjoy the sites of the fascinating Pininfarina auto design firm.
The group assembled in early October for three fun-filled days of discovery in Northern Italy. In addition to walking tours of the Federal-Mogul and Pininfarina facilities, the group also enjoyed a rare behind-the-wheel racing experience – the “Payen Challenge 2008” – at the Lombardore racetrack north of Turin. The event offered an ideal blend of history, technology and fun – all in the spirit of celebration of one of Federal-Mogul’s legendary brands and product lines.
“The history of the Payen brand mirrors the history of the automobile industry,” said Martin Hendricks, Federal-Mogul vice president, Global Aftermarket, Europe, Middle East and Africa. “At each point in the evolution of more powerful, efficient and reliable engines over the past 100 years, Payen engineers have been able to develop the vital sealing solutions necessary for success at the original equipment and aftermarket levels.”
“This history continues today, as seen in our world-class Sealing Systems facilities in Chivasso and other locations around the globe.”
Payen has been a leader in sealing product design virtually since its founding. The brand actually dates back to the 1890s in Lyons, France, but its roots are more solidly traced to the arrival of businessman J. Payen in London in 1908. Mr. Payen established an operation that produced and sold finished washers and gaskets from materials that were imported from France. The company grew rapidly throughout the early and mid-1900s and through a series of later acquisitions became one of the industry’s largest sealing manufacturers. Following its integration into Federal-Mogul in the 1990s, Payen continued to strengthen its reputation as a technology leader for both the OE and replacement parts markets.
