GenTek’s manufacturing segment creates products and services that address demands in the automotive, appliance and electronic, and industrial markets: from components for the latest print-on-demand Xerox systems to complete panel systems for sophisticated washers, dryers and other next-generation home appliances, to highly engineered valve-train components for overhead-cam engines. Well-known for demanding superior vehicle performance, BMW recently developed a valve-train technology that incorporates variable valve timing and variable valve lift. To meet the challenging demands required to achieve the increased system performance, BMW and its subsystem supplier, Hitchiner Manufacturing Company, turned to GenTek to design cam-follower rollers and axles for the assembly. GenTek developed one of the smallest cam-follower needle assemblies in production to meet tight tolerances and size limitations. BMW launched the new system on several of its 2002 vehicles, providing technology that improves engine performance and fuel economy.