Chrysler Group Names Key Suppliers to Belvidere Assembly Plant
23 Mars 2005 - 9:42PM
PR Newswire (US)
Chrysler Group Names Key Suppliers to Belvidere Assembly Plant -
New partners will add 550 new jobs to the Belvidere region -
Substantial investments in additional facilities - Improved
flexibility for Daimler Chrysler's Assembly Plant AUBURN HILLS,
Mich., March 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- DaimlerChrysler Corp.
today announced key suppliers to its Belvidere (Ill.) Assembly
Plant. The eight suppliers will provide a variety of vehicle parts
and manufacturing services to the Belvidere facility. Three of them
will build or move into nearby manufacturing facilities in order to
support the DaimlerChrysler Belvidere plant. Android Industries,
Grupo Antolin and Johnson Controls in a joint press conference with
the State of Illinois announced their intention to collocate to
Belvidere. These three companies will add an estimated 550 new jobs
to the Belvidere region and make substantial investments in their
new facilities. Beginning late in 2005, they will supply engine
assemblies (Android), door trim modules (Grupo Antolin) and seat
systems (Johnson Controls) to the DaimlerChrysler Belvidere plant.
The other suppliers will supply parts from their North American and
European locations. Additional Belvidere Key Suppliers AGC
Automotive: backlights and windshields (Normal, Ill.) Lear
Corporation: floor console and door trim (Greencastle, Ind.);
overheads (Mendon, Mich.); carpet (Sheboygan, Wis.); and instrument
panels (Iowa City, Iowa) NGK Spark Plugs: spark plugs (Irvine,
Calif.) ThyssenKrupp Presta: safety restraints and steering columns
(Liechtenstein) Yazaki North America: wiring (Obregon, Mexico) OEM
- Supplier Innovation "We need to continue to drive innovation in
our OEM-supplier partnerships. To continue to spur innovation at
DaimlerChrysler, we've been transforming our Procurement and Supply
operations since 2001," said Peter Rosenfeld, Executive Vice
President - Procurement & Supply, Chrysler Group. "Our new
approach is to measure suppliers in a very transparent way, in four
dimensions that we've determined are the most meaningful: quality,
technology, delivery and cost. We're awarding business on a
performance based model. Those suppliers that choose to perform
well are highly rewarded." This announcement of key suppliers
follows the February announcement that TDS/US, a minority-owned
logistics company, would operate a 500,000-square- foot inbound
parts sequencing center for DaimlerChrysler's Belvidere Assembly
Plant. Belvidere Slated for Major Expansion DaimlerChrysler will
invest $419 million in Belvidere (as announced January 26) adding a
second shift and up to 1,000 jobs in preparation of an early 2006
production launch. Money will be spent to overhaul the plant's body
shop, modify the paint shop, the final assembly area and stamping
facility. The changes will give the automaker greater manufacturing
flexibility, while simultaneously preparing the facility for future
launches. And once implemented, will give the plant the capability
to produce multiple vehicles while simultaneously piloting another
model. Belvidere Assembly was chosen for the investment, due to
years of continuous performance improvements, especially in the
areas of safety, efficiency and quality. DaimlerChrysler's
Commitment to North America DaimlerChrysler is a significant
contributor to the growth and sustained development of the North
American economy: its 125,000 direct jobs in North America generate
more than one million spin-off jobs in the U.S. alone. The Chrysler
Group alone has invested nearly $5 billion dollars in its
manufacturing facilities, equipment, tooling and training of
employees across North America in the pasts two years, including
major renovations at Belvidere Assembly, Brampton Assembly,
Jefferson North Assembly, Newark Assembly, Saltillo Assembly, St.
Louis South Assembly, Toledo Assembly, and Warren Truck Assembly.
Recent DaimlerChrysler milestone investments include an innovative
$2.2 billion Chrysler Group manufacturing project in Toledo, Ohio
featuring supplier co-location expected to keep more than 3,800
jobs in the state. In Mexico, $210 million will be invested in
upgrading and expanding the Saltillo assembly plant and in Canada,
the company spent more than CAN$2.6 billion over the last three
years, including preparations for the Windsor and Brampton plants
for a new generation of cars, such as the Chrysler 300, Dodge
Charger and Chrysler Pacifica. DATASOURCE: Chrysler Group CONTACT:
Markus Mainka, +1-248-512-2729, or David Elshoff, +1-248-512-2690,
, both of Chrysler Group Web site:
http://www.media.daimlerchrysler.com/
http://www.daimlerchrysler.com/
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