Airtex’s ECF water pump recognised in Automechanika Innovation Awards

One of the world’s largest automotive pump manufacturers, Airtex, was a nominee in the Automechanika Frankfurt Innovation Awards 2022, for its Electro-hydraulic Control Flow (ECF) water pump, beating out more than 130 other entries! 

Established more than 85 years ago in 1935, Airtex is a dedicated original equipment (OE) manufacturer, with its European technology and manufacturing centre paying testament to its commitment to quality. 

Based in Zaragoza (between Barcelona and Madrid), the fully ISO certified 13,000 sqm plant employs almost 150 staff and has the capacity to produce more than five million water pumps every year. Its aftermarket range encompasses fuel and water pumps, as well as water pump kits, which include a Dayco OE belt.

The water pump that Airtex was a finalist for is it’s ECF water pump, an aftermarket alternative to the OE version that is used for 1.6 and 2.0-litre VAG engines from 2012 onwards, which now total more than nine million vehicles across Europe. 

Using a patented system previously available only from the manufacturer, the OE water pump varies flow rate according to the requirements of the engine, which results in improved engine warm up times, leading to gains in fuel efficiency and lower emissions. 

The new ECF water pump uses Airtex’s own patented SWITCH ECF technology to vary the flow rate, without infringing the original patent, making the company the first manufacturer to offer a true replacement to the OE water pump with matching ECF technology.

First Brand’s Group Brand & Marketing Manager (Europe), Sam Robinson, said: “While it’s a shame we didn’t win the award, it was an incredible honour for the product to be recognised in these prestigious awards and we’re grateful for the nomination. It shows that our ECF water pump is a great technological advancement that the industry needs and is calling out for!”