Manufacturing a World-Class Work Force
07 Août 2006 - 7:00PM
PR Newswire (US)
Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance (GEMA) President Bruce
Coventry Speech to Management Briefing Seminars TRAVERSE CITY,
Mich., Aug. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- In a speech today to a
leading automotive industry conference, Global Engine Manufacturing
Alliance (GEMA) President Bruce Coventry outlined how his Dundee,
Michigan- based engine plant is creating a globally competitive
American manufacturing model. As part of a panel addressing
"World-Class Manufacturing: Manufacturing Strategies and
Technologies for Enhancing Global Competitiveness," Coventry
explained how GEMA leverages its three-way alliance between
DaimlerChrysler, Hyundai Motor Company and Mitsubishi Motors
Corporation to reach economies of scale that make the "World
Engine" the largest operation of its kind. With a combined annual
production capability of 1.8 million engines between five plants in
three countries, the World Engine program takes advantage of a
common base engine design, global sourcing, common manufacturing
procedures and benchmark lean processes. "So, how does GEMA target
value? We extracted the benefits of volume bundling on almost 2
million units per year," Coventry said. "We utilized an efficient
investment strategy: we didn't buy a block line, we bought three
block lines, utilizing the best engineering inputs from Mitsubishi,
Hyundai and DaimlerChrysler. "By agreeing to standardization and
commonization of component designs, we leveraged the strengths of
the partnership," Coventry added. "For example, we pursued
open-book pricing, shared sourcing and volume bundling.
Additionally, partners have shared best practices and lessons
learned from past and current experiences in an effort to enhance
and refine the technology." Coventry explained that the Global
Engine Manufacturing Alliance offers its partners key advantages. A
common base engine design allows any one of five World Engine
plants to supply any partner, essentially making the engine a
commodity. Before closing, Coventry turned his attention to
Michigan's work force. "A few automakers are building in the
South," explained Coventry. "They're saving a few dollars, but
sacrificing the highly skilled work force found in the Midwest.
Simultaneously, Michigan has experienced a loss in population over
the last 10 years. Many of these are members of the highly skilled
workforce for which we're known. "To retain Michigan's competitive
advantage, businesses must be involved with their local schools and
communities. We must provide opportunities and incentives for our
skilled workforce to stay in Michigan and help forge the future of
manufacturing." The 1.8-, 2.0- and 2.4-liter four-cylinder World
Engine family is available in the all-new Dodge Caliber, Jeep(R)
Compass, upcoming Chrysler Sebring, Jeep Patriot and Dodge Caliber
SRT4. The engine features a high- pressure die-cast aluminum block,
aluminum heads and dual variable valve timing, giving it
customer-pleasing, high-value features that improve performance,
refinement, durability and affordability. DATASOURCE: Chrysler
Group CONTACT: David Elshoff, +1-248-512-2690, , or Michele Tinson,
+1-248-512-0366, , both of Chrysler Group Web site:
http://www.media.daimlerchrysler.com/
http://www.daimlerchrysler.com/
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