Ricardo, Inc., Partners With Iowa-Based Excel Engineering to Deliver Testing and Prototyping Services

June 3, 2020

To Seed the Partnership, Excel will Acquire Ricardo’s Michigan Test Center and Personnel, with Plans to Expand Site’s Capabilities; Ricardo Will Increase Investments in Local R&D

VAN BUREN TOWNSHIP, Mich.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#excelengineering–Ricardo Inc., the North American operating arm of UK-based Ricardo plc and specialists in advanced propulsion, software and thermal management, today signed an agreement to partner with Iowa-based Excel Engineering, which includes the sale of Ricardo’s Michigan engine testing and prototype facility.

The agreement allows Ricardo, with offices in Detroit, Chicago, Silicon Valley and San Diego, to align with the pure-play engine testing and emissions company to offer expanded engine and vehicle testing capabilities in Metro Detroit and, in turn, accelerate its direct North American research and development activities throughout the transportation sector. For Excel, the Diagonal, Iowa company acquires a 30,000 sq. ft. test facility in Van Buren Township, Mich., and retains roughly 30 of its employees. The facility provides Excel with capabilities in light-duty and heavy-duty engine testing and capacity to test alternative fuels as well as advanced battery and hybrid drive systems. Through the partnership, Excel will serve as the preferred testing source for Ricardo internal developments in the U.S. and will handle current and future testing for Ricardo clientele.

“We are restructuring our business to increase focus and investment in future technologies,” says Marques McCammon, appointed president of Ricardo, Inc., in October 2019. “One of our initial steps has been developing a leadership team to help clients in the U.S., Mexico and Canada close the gap from conventional transportation to a cleaner, connected mobility future. The Excel partnership enhances that objective by strengthening our testing capabilities and maintaining continuity with customers. Their pure-play approach to testing will provide scale and focus that extends our capabilities and sustains cost competitiveness.”

Ricardo, Inc., blends its heritage in traditional propulsion with software know-how to resolve challenges in the hybrid, electric and autonomous world. Excel, founded in 2002, tests engines for exhaust emissions compliance, long- and short-term durability and overall performance.

“At Excel we’re proud to have an undiluted, pure-play focus as a highly qualified and certified provider of testing services,” said Doug Sobotka, president of Excel Engineering. “The agreement announced today will enable Excel to gain a significant presence in the Detroit Metro area to complement our established facilities in the Midwest. As a Ricardo, Inc. preferred partner for test services, we also look forward to supporting the company with high quality testing services to meet its in-house needs as well as the requirements of projects with its world-class client base.”

Ricardo plc, based in the United Kingdom and founded in 1915, is a global, multi-industry consultancy for engineering, technology, project innovation and strategy that is focused on providing quality engineering solutions on high efficiency, low emission, class-leading product innovation and robust strategic implementation. Ricardo, Inc., based in Detroit, is the U.S. subsidiary of Ricardo plc since the 1990s. The collective client list includes some of the world’s major transportation original equipment manufacturers, supply chain organizations, energy companies, financial institutions and governments. For more information, visit www.ricardo.com and https://automotive.ricardo.com/us.

Excel Engineering, based in Diagonal, Iowa and founded in 2002, is an innovative internal combustion engine and component testing company focusing on emissions and durability operations. Excel assists manufacturers to develop robust products that meet stringent customer and regulatory requirements. Excel uses entrepreneurial based ingenuity and innovation combined with persistence to find simple solutions to solve complex engineering problems.