Chrysler Group's Newark Assembly Plant Launches Production of the All-New 2007 Chrysler Aspen
03 Août 2006 - 10:05PM
PR Newswire (US)
* Two products to be assembled on one assembly line * $180 million
investment creates manufacturing flexibility * Joint operating
agreement fosters new Smart manufacturing initiative AUBURN HILLS,
Mich., Aug. 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The all-new 2007 Chrysler
Aspen started production this week at DaimlerChrysler's Newark
Assembly Plant in Newark, Del. Following a $180 million retooling
and body- shop renovation, the plant will now produce two models on
one assembly line. In addition to the Chrysler Aspen, Newark
Assembly Plant builds the Dodge Durango. "Newark Assembly Plant is
joining our growing list of flexible manufacturing plants, and by
the end of this year, five of our six U.S. truck and activity
vehicle assembly plants will produce more than one model," said
Byron Green, Vice President - Truck and Activity Vehicle
Manufacturing. "With flexible manufacturing, we are better able to
meet the demands of Chrysler, Jeep(R) and Dodge customers." With
the launch of the Chrysler Aspen, Newark joins Chrysler Group's
growing list of flexible assembly plants. The Chrysler Group's
Flexible Manufacturing Strategy (FMS) allows the company to produce
a higher quality product, faster, for lower cost. FMS is also a key
enabler in the company's plan to launch 10 all-new vehicles in
2006, the most in Chrysler Group's history. In order to balance
production with demand, the FMS approach allows the company to
efficiently build lower-volume vehicles that take advantage of
market niche, and to quickly shift production volumes to different
models within a single plant or between multiple plants.
Manufacturing flexibility gives the company the ability to better
respond to consumer demand for its growing product portfolio. The
plant can vary the production mix between the two vehicles as
needed. FMS is being implemented product by product and plant by
plant across the Chrysler Group. New investment is adding
state-of-the-art technology into plants allowing the production of
more than one vehicle on a production line and rolling launches of
new models. Additionally, Chrysler Group's workforce is becoming
more flexible with the implementation of the team concept and an
increased emphasis on supporting assembly-line operators. The
rolling launch of the all-new 2007 Chrysler Aspen was completed in
24 months. In anticipation of the launch, 2,100 employees were
trained to operate new high-tech robotic equipment and perform
advanced manufacturing processes, resulting in new methods of
error-proofing and a new level of manufacturing efficiency. The
Newark Assembly Plant is also paving the way for a new initiative:
Smart manufacturing. Smart manufacturing provides even more
empowerment of assembly line workers and fosters creativity on the
shop floor. Smart processes include work teams, self-designed
workstations, and a framework for flexible job classifications --
designed to further improve plant flexibility and efficiency.
Chrysler Group is the city of Newark's largest employer. The
company has a significant impact on the Newark community with more
than 2,100 employees throughout Delaware who generate approximately
$136 million in annual wages and provide more than $6.8 million in
taxable income to the state. The 3.4 million square foot Newark
Assembly Plant is home to United Auto Workers Locals 1183 and 1212.
DATASOURCE: Chrysler Group CONTACT: Michele Tinson,
+1-248-705-2456, , 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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