Optimas Solutions signed a long-term agreement with LEVC (London EV Company), to deliver “optimized” fasteners for the new TX – the advanced electric taxi.

The agreement, signed at the new £325 million LEVC production plant in Coventry, England, has Optimas “heavily involved” in the project, providing specialized and standard fasteners to expedite the prototyping process.

“The new TX features 2,000 components exclusive to the project, so LEVC leaned on Optimas’ expertise due to a track record of providing a myriad of fastener solutions to OEM automotive manufacturers around the world,” Optimas stated. The new LTA builds on the partnership’s recent successes, with Optimas now in line to manage the sourcing and delivery of fasteners for production.

“We have been involved in this project from first principles, working closely with LEVC engineers to define suitable fasteners to deliver a vehicle that meets the challenging design brief,” stated Ian Carvell, European engineering director at Optimas. “Now with a defined Bill of Materials (BoM), we can begin implementing a full fastener supply framework to increase the efficiency of manufacture at the production site, ensuring this innovative vehicle can be on the roads as soon as possible.”

LEVC procurement director Phillip Bracken called Optimas “a dynamic fastener partner” who helped achieve application goals during the prototyping stage.

“With this proof of expertise, Optimas was the natural choice to bolster our production activities from a fastener standpoint, so we are delighted to grow this partnership,” Bracken added.

Experts expect zero emission capable taxis like the TX to account for 9,000 of London’s black cabs by 2020, with revised emissions standards for inner city areas placing an increased emphasis on delivering the vehicles to market with increased speed.

The TX will also be sold around the world and export deals have been signed with importers in Holland and Norway.

Optimas Solutions was formed in 2015 when New York private equity firm American Industrial Partners acquired Anixter’s OEM Supply Fasteners division at auction for $380 million cash.

Headquartered in Glenview, IL, Optimas provides fasteners and c-class components and services, including design and engineering, supply chain management, logistical support, direct line feed and local inventory support. Its engineers work with OEM and Tier 1 suppliers in the automotive, agricultural, and medical equipment markets. Web: Optimas.com