Lovells opens research and development facility
Lovells Automotive Systems has launched a cutting-edge research and development facility in Edwardstown, South Australia. The facility will underpin the company’s vehicle dynamic stability testing capabilities and simulate the most extreme road and climatic conditions encountered by its customers worldwide.
The occasion marked the brand’s upcoming 95th anniversary and underscores the company’s long commitment to driving innovation. Employing 20 staff spanning engineering, design and corporate roles, the new facility will focus on developing next generation products in the suspension and towing sectors, spanning automotive, rail, mining, industrial and specialist engineering solutions.
“Lovells is a company founded on innovation and as we enter our 95th year this new R&D facility will ensure we continue to accelerate our efforts to design, engineer and manufacture the best products for our local and international customers for many decades to come,” said Managing Director of Lovells, Simon Crane.
“Lovells new Edwardstown facility becomes a key asset in our ability to design, test and manufacture right here in Australia for our global customer base. Together with our testing facility at Tailem Bend and manufacturing capability in the Hunter region of New South Wales, Lovells is well-positioned to develop next generation suspension and towing products for a wide range of clients.”
The new R&D facility follows an earlier investment by Lovells to relocate all vehicle dynamic stability testing from the National Test Grounds in Anglesea in Victoria to The Bend Motorsport Park at Tailem Bend in South Australia. The million-dollar investment underscoring the company’s reputation for innovation, rigorous testing and product performance.
South Australian customers will also benefit from greater investment in the region, which also includes two major retail branches in Adelaide: one in Edwardstown and the other in Greenfields, both offering bespoke services supporting suspension, Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) and towing upgrades, alongside fitment of a range of electrical and general accessories.
Highlighting the importance of the new facility and its contribution to regional development, the event was officiated by Deputy Chair of the Standing Committee on Regional Development, Infrastructure and Transport, and Member of the House of Representatives for the Liberal Party of Australia, Tony Pasin, alongside Director of Government Relations and Advocacy for the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association, Lesley Yates.
“Lovells’ investment into the company’s research and development capabilities reflects the broader confidence and commitment within our industry to turn great ideas into global impact,” said Yates. “Our Industry’s dedication to rigorous, evidence-based testing, ensures that worldwide customers can drive with confidence that safety and durability are core to every product we develop.”
