Green light for red Oerlikon cap
Kitzbühel, January 26, 2007 - OC Oerlikon Corporation AG, Pfäffikon, is pleased to announce a new partnership. The Swiss industrial high-tech corporation will in future be represented by three-time Formula 1 world champion Niki Lauda.
From now on Niki Lauda will be wearing the red Oerlikon cap with the Oerlikon logo and supporting the Swiss company at public events. "We are proud to have gained Niki Lauda as a brand ambassador," says Oerlikon CEO Thomas Limberger. "With his high reputation and the worldwide recognition he enjoys, he will support us in enhancing the Oerlikon brand on its way to becoming one of the world's top corporate names." Niki Lauda adds: "I can identify 100 percent with Oerlikon. Its technologies, products and performance culture make it an exemplary corporation in my view."
The Oerlikon Group, which will also become technology partner of Red Bull Racing at the beginning of this year's Formula 1 season, is expanding its commitment to motor racing with the signing of Niki Lauda. "Motor racing is an ideal platform for us as a leading technology provider to demonstrate our skills and know-how to a wide-ranging public," explains CEO Thomas Limberger.
After all, Oerlikon is already an important supplier to Formula 1 and the automobile industry in general. Oerlikon Graziano Drive System is a worldwide leader in transmission technology for top-of-the-range cars. Technical fibers manufactured on Oerlikon Saurer Textile machines are used in chassis, tires, overalls and safety belts. Oerlikon Balzers Coating develops and manufactures extremely hard and ultra-thin coatings which protect components from wear and tear and clearly enhance their useful life. The high power, lower fuel consumption, boosted performance yield and indeed entire components - such as the common rail diesel injection system - of modern car engines would be unthinkable without Oerlikon coating. Niki Lauda himself says: "As a former racing driver I look forward to representing such an innovative high-tech company and help it gain pole position with my Formula 1 know-how."
