Chrysler Group's Sterling Heights Assembly Plant Produces All-New 2008 Chrysler Sebring Convertible
30 Mars 2007 - 7:00AM
PR Newswire (US)
- Chrysler Group's Sterling Heights Assembly Plant adds third
vehicle: Chrysler Sebring Convertible AUBURN HILLS, Mich., March 30
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The all-new 2008 Chrysler Sebring
Convertible is an example of the Chrysler Group's expanding
Flexible Manufacturing Strategy (FMS), which allows the company to
bring its new vehicles to market more quickly, and the Sterling
Heights (Mich.) Assembly Plant (SHAP) to manufacture multiple
products on one assembly line. The all- new 2008 Chrysler Sebring
Convertible will be built alongside the Chrysler Sebring sedan and
the all-new 2008 Dodge Avenger sedan. "We are seeing a great deal
of success at the Sterling Heights facility due to the commitment
of our plant employees," said Frank Ewasyshyn, Executive Vice
President-Manufacturing. "Their willingness to support and foster a
small-team workplace model has delivered a successful third vehicle
launch." The Sterling Heights Assembly Plant and Sterling (Heights)
Stamping Plant were extensively retooled beginning in March 2006 to
manage the complexity of building multiple models on one production
line. The Chrysler Sebring Convertible program is part of a $500
million investment, which included multiple plant upgrades to
improve quality, productivity and worker ergonomics. $278 million
was invested at the Sterling Heights Assembly Plant to overhaul the
body shop and improve the paint shop and assembly areas, including
new tooling and about 620 new welding and material handling robots.
"The assembly operation now has the capability to build multiple
upper bodies and multiple vehicle families or architectures, which
gives us the flexibility to add new models or 'cross-load' models
from other plants in order to better meet the dynamics of the
market," said Fred Goedtel, Vice President-Small/Premium/Family
Vehicle Assembly. Since the rollout of Chrysler Group's FMS in
2000, it has been the template for Chrysler Group plant
modernization. Sterling Heights Assembly Plant and Sterling
Stamping, along with Belvidere Assembly Plant, are the pioneers of
this strategy, allowing the company to bring the right products to
the market at the right time. SHAP is now able to vary the
production mix between three product models and pilot a fourth. "In
addition, the Sterling Stamping Plant can weld and assemble more
than one product on the same line. These new capabilities will
support the company's pursuit of product leadership by providing
flexibility and efficiently managing increased distinction between
the Chrysler, Jeep(R) and Dodge brands," said Goedtel. Flexible
Manufacturing Strategy (FMS) Chrysler Group's FMS allows the
company to produce a higher quality product faster, and for a lower
cost. 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 between different models within a single plant or among
multiple plants. FMS is being implemented product by product and
plant by plant across the Chrysler Group. New investment is
introducing state-of-the-art technology to Chrysler Group plants,
allowing the company to produce more than one vehicle on a
production line and conduct rolling launches of new models.
Additionally, Chrysler Group's workforce is becoming more flexible
with the implementation of team concepts and an increased emphasis
on supporting assembly line operators. Robotics At the core of the
new manufacturing process at Sterling Heights Assembly is a body
shop comprised of 620 new robots instead of the vehicle-specific
heavy tooling that was previously used, for a total of 784 robots
in the Body Shop. Only the robots' end effectors, or "hands," need
to change in order to build the different models. That tool change
is done automatically, within the time it takes to cycle from one
vehicle to the next. A fourth model can also be piloted-or
test-built-at the same time, helping reduce the time needed to make
new-model changeovers. The Trim, Chassis and Final (TCF) areas
received a new glass cell, windshield decking, chassis insertion
loop system, fluid fill equipment and rolls-test machines. Each of
these improved processes has contributed favorably to the plant's
overall productivity and efficiency efforts. Smart Manufacturing A
new workplace organizational model, coined "Smart Manufacturing,"
is increasing the flexibility of the SHAP workforce, while
fostering greater creativity and innovation from plant employees.
This model is being implemented throughout the Chrysler Group's
Manufacturing organization in conjunction with the UAW. In addition
to extensive training, the new workplace model promotes employee
involvement in all facets in the design and processing of the work
stations. These changes provide a better work environment for
employees and give increased support to assembly line team members
while improving the Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost and Morale.
Chrysler Group is the city of Sterling Heights' second-largest
employer and has more than 4,500 employees working in two plants.
The 3 million square- foot Sterling Heights Assembly Plant occupies
286 acres. In total, the Chrysler Group provides $150 million in
annual wages and more than $5 million in taxable income to the
state of Michigan. Sterling Heights Assembly Plant opened in 1953
as a jet engine factory. The plant was purchased by Chrysler Group
in 1983. SHAP is home to United Auto Workers Locals 1700, 889 and
412. Sterling Stamping is 2.7 million square feet and employs 2,500
people. The plant is home to UAW Locals 1264,889 and 412. The plant
investment is just the latest in a long, cooperative partnership
with the City of Sterling Heights. DATASOURCE: Chrysler Group
CONTACT: Kristin Starnes, +1-248-512-0889, , or Beth Ann Bayus
+1-248-512-0350, , both of Chrysler Group Web site:
http://www.media.daimlerchrysler.com/
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