Gates have announced that more than 1500 new part numbers will be added to the Gates portfolio during the first quarter of 2019, in a first wave of a long-term programme of expansion for the brand’s hose product range.

Gates says that each new part number will satisfy pre-existing market demand at garage level and deliver a wide range of fitting solutions for installers and fresh sales opportunities for parts suppliers.

The initial expansion of OE quality hoses from Gates relates to different product groups; Modular branched hose assemblies come complete with quick connectors, valves, flow restrictors, sensor ports and other plastic components, Moulded hoses are a traditional design without plastic connectors and Turbocharger hoses for passenger cars are new to the Gates brand. The expansion of the modular hose and turbo range are made possible by Gates’ acquisition of Rapro, a specialised manufacturer of these products.

The latest OE cooling system designs are often model specific and feature complex hose assemblies with components that are less resilient and subject to failure earlier in a vehicle’s life. The new part numbers will cover models from all popular makes including hoses for manufacturers like BMW, Mercedes, Volkswagen/Audi and Land Rover. Just outside their warranty periods these cars are potential targets for the independent repair market and are already beginning to show signs of hose failure. Gates product manager Jacob Tucker said, “Independent parts distributors will be able to cross reference the new modular and turbocharger hoses to existing OE part numbers that have already been identified by Gates as components with known histories of failure.” He added, “Installers will be buying OE quality replacement hoses from a brand with an OE pedigree at aftermarket prices.”

Gates says that Turbocharger hoses carry pressurised air that picks up oil particles from different components in the turbocharger system and deposits them on the inner linings of the turbocharger hoses, eventually leading to blow off or rupturing of the original hose.