10 march 2022 - BBT Travels
Today we had 4 factories… while it was smoking hot outside…
However two being OE we’ve been not allowed to publish any pictures…
But it all started in a well known rubber plant, where we discussed some running developments…
Are you interested how rubber profile is started? Watch this Video!
Video not visible? Click HERE
Extrusion machines are extremely long!!
Rubber is endlesly, or at least almost endlesly…:)
Yep, this is one machine, all the way till the end!
Tooling for VW window rubber, do you reconise the profile?
Rubber press that makes several BBT parts, with your proud visitor…
Are these the best door seals on the market? We do not carry them yet, but at least we will compare the samples… BBT is always on the look out for better!
Next we visited a company that make our #1690 fuel pump base, but unfortunatly no pictures allowed, so sorry…
So move on to the next… one of my favorite Brazilian companies…
This company has more machines as anybody!
They make certain parts for our King and Link pin kits, but manufacture also our spring plates.
Very important we discussed the coating from the springplates, as we know that can be way better..
We followed also the spring plate production, check out this video.
Video not visible? Click HERE
Kombi’s everywhere is an understatement in Sao Paolo…
We run in to Kombi places daily!
Last stop or the day was our supplier/manufactuerer for syncro rings, we sell many.
Very simple because we buy at the source.
This factory is 90 % OE, still today..
Its a huge factory, but unfortunately no pictures allowed,
Check out Syncro rings HERE, we simply beat any WD price, and we only sell OE quality!
If you do not buy from us, you like to over pay, or work with inferior quality, that is.
Try ours, you will not regret, now I visited the production plant I’m even more conviced of what we’re selling, this factory is simply stunning!
We did a small detour back to the hotel, through downtown Sao Paolo,
Thanks Ricardo for showing me your city.
Nothing better to cool down a hot day as a real Caipirinha!
That was the day folks, stay tuned for more tomorrow!
9 march 2022 - BBT Travels
Ignition locks, that was the start of our second day in the country of Picanha and Caiperinha.
We have several projects running with this manufacturer, inginition locks for Beetle and Bay window bus!
All kind of small press to press small parts…:)
All these will become ignition locks…
Zamak injection machine, this machine makes the above…
Assembly tables, a lot is made by hand, by real crafts people…
Perfect for low production runs.
Check this lady out who assembles key barrels by hand, she just check the key profile by eye and put all correct tumblers at once… story goes she nevers miss a beat!
Video not visible? Click HERE
And a whole battery of Plastic injection machines, as ignition switches have a lot of small plastic parts as well!
On the road to the next stop, You see the skyline of Sao Paolo in the back?
With a mandatory lunch break…
Fried fish mix, with Fishermans pepper from the House! yammie!!!!
Next stop was a small but cool hardware manufacturer we use a lot for special VW related hardware. .
With EU charging crazy anti dumping tax on hardware out of China, Brazil offer a lot opportunity!
We need more guys like these, super dedicated in all they do!
Let’s see how this machine work in this little video, enjoy!
Video not visible? Click HERE
A picture of the owner and my “BIG” friend of the Warehouse…
Down the road we see plenty of Kombi, loaded to the roof and far above…
Smoking hot… we had 37° over lunchtime…
Too hot to work for this Kombi for sure…:)
Last stop for the day was a small but highly qualified rubber manufacturer.
In service since the mid sixties this is a very small, tiny but very cool place…:)
…. and after such a hot day on the road there’s nothing better to eat a nice piece of Picanha from the local BBQ!
Stay tuned for more factory visits, its not over yet!!
8 march 2022 - BBT Travels
I took another trip to Brazil to visit friends, factories, suppliers and customers, in other words just to have fun!
KLM brings me everywhere!
Kombi is still everywhere too…. in Brazil!
First stop was the factory that make part of our fuel sender range.
Very motivated team works real hard to only bring you the best, this is definitely A quality.
A lot of knowledge and passion!
I like to share a little video about one of their many decollate machines.
They’re so cool to look at.
Like a CNC machine but without a computer, al mechanical…
video not visible? Click HERE
Second stop was our supplier for window winder mechanisms.
No idea they made so many, but there is 200 people working here!
Only window winders mechanisms!
Here I like to share a little video about the stamping of small parts.
Watch your fingers!
video not visible? Click HERE
Stop for an icecream?
My name is everywhere!
….and last but not least, the factory that make our stabilizer mounting kits and our emergency brake handles.
These guys are just crazy! Hence we get along that well…
Only for The brazilian VW Gol model they make 5000 emergency hand brake levers a month, yes that’s right a MONTH!!
When was last time You changed the emergency hand brake lever on your car?
Sao Paolo has real nice areas….
….as shown here on the picture Parque do Provo, very nice picture opportunities…:) …
I enjoyed Parque Do Provo a couple of hours last Sunday after arrival, and wanted to share this little picture to give you the impression… to me one of the most beautiful pictures my cell phone ever made…
At a pace from 3 to 4 factories a day, I will try to show everywhere I go and visit.
With a lot of road in between…
For you to enjoy and so You know we really care about the parts we sell…
Stay tuned…