DETROIT, March 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Five top North American automotive
suppliers were honored by the French government yesterday evening at the
eighth annual Invest in France Automotive Awards ceremony held at the Detroit
Institute of Arts during the 2003 SAE World Congress.
The five suppliers honored this year were Advanced Accessory Systems, LLC,
based in Sterling Heights, MI; Burgess-Norton Mfg. Co., based in Geneva, IL;
Dow Automotive, based in Auburn Hills, MI; L&L Products, Inc., based in Romeo,
MI; and Visteon Corporation, based in Dearborn, MI. The Invest in France
Automotive Awards are presented annually by the Invest in France Agency to
recognize leading North American automotive companies that have made a
significant investment in new or expanded facilities in France.
The French government presents these awards because of the importance of
the automotive industry in France. With 19 vehicle manufacturing plants
producing over 3.6 million vehicles annually, the country is Europe's second
largest automotive manufacturing center. France is also home to nearly 600
tier-one and more than 3,000 tier-two suppliers. And, like Detroit, Paris is
the leading automotive purchasing center for the continent, with purchasing
decisions there affecting nearly 14 percent of global vehicle production.
Each of the five companies received a highly prized, limited-edition
crystal automobile designed and cast by the world-renowned glasswork
manufacturer Compagnie Francaise du Cristal Daum. Founded in 1887 by master
craftsman Jean Daum and his descendants, Daum Crystal represents the
glassmaker's highest achievement in the world of decorative arts.
Presenting the crystal awards to executives representing the five
suppliers were Her Excellency Clara Gaymard, Ambassador-at-Large, Special
Representative of France for International Investment; The Honorable Dominique
Decherf, Consul General of France in Chicago; and Jean Cantoni, President of
Invest in France Agency North America.
Receiving the awards on behalf of their companies were Terence C. Seikel,
President and Chief Executive Officer of Advanced Accessory Systems, LLC; John
F. Carroll, President of Burgess-Norton Mfg Co.; George R. Hamilton, Vice
President of Materials of Dow Automotive; Mark Fischer, Executive Vice
President of L&L Products, Inc.; and Tom Burke, Vice President-Manufacturing
of Visteon Corporation.
Advanced Accessory Systems was recognized for building a new manufacturing
facility close to its existing plant located in the town of Betheny, near
Reims. This 160,000 sq. ft. construction on 10 acres of land will allow AAS
to increase its annual production of trailer hitch systems from 200,000 to
half a million units. The plant will operate with about 130 employees at full
production, including a design and R&D department for the development of new
products. AAS production at this new facility will serve Original Equipment
Manufacturers (40%) as well as aftermarket companies (60%), of which 50% will
be exported outside of France.
Burgess-Norton (BN) was honored for completing the acquisition of IP
Marti, a subsidiary of DANA located in Vieux-Charmont, France. The plant
produces piston pins for the automotive and truck markets and will allow BN to
expand its presence in Europe. Annual production already has shown a
significant increase as of January 2003, thanks to the transfer of capacity
serving the European market. This facility should serve as a development
platform for further production investments in France, following the results
of the new sales force recently hired to cover the German and the UK markets.
L&L Products and Dow Automotive were recognized for investing 6 million
Euros in a new manufacturing plant for their subsidiary Core Products near
Strasbourg. Thanks to its central location in Europe, this 97,000 sq. ft.
facility will allow Core Products, first tier supplier of engineered sealing
and structural solutions for the automotive industry, to serve its European
customers in less than three days. The number of employees has nearly doubled
to 200. This investment was made possible with the assistance of the local
economic development agencies that helped locate the suitable site for the new
facility and recruit specialized employees.
Visteon was recognized for investing 30 millions Euros in a new
manufacturing facility next to the PSA Peugeot-Citroen assembly plant in the
town of Noyal/Chatillon-sur-Seiche near Rennes. This 177,600 sq. ft. facility
will support existing and future business with PSA. The plant will operate
with about 400 employees at full production, manufacturing and assembling HVAC
systems, door trim modules and interior trim components for PSA. Finished
products will be delivered just-in-time by truck from Visteon's site via a
connecting bridge to PSA's receiving area 1.5 miles away where the new Peugeot
407 model will be assembled. Visteon's facility will have the capacity to
produce 8,000 door panels per day.
Sponsors:
The 2003 Invest in France Automotive Awards ceremony is sponsored by RSM
McGladrey, a leading accounting, tax and consulting firm, and Butzel Long, a
Michigan-based law firm.
Previous Recipients:
Including this year's five corporate recipients, the Invest in France
Automotive Award has been bestowed on a total of 27 leading North American
corporations. Previous winners are:
2002: ArvinMeritor, Lear Corporation, Altair Engineering
2001: Delphi Energy & Chassis Systems, Harman International, Moll
Industries, The Timken Co.
2000: Visteon, Act Laboratories, Honeywell Turbocharging Systems
1999: Dana Corporation, Oxford Automotive
1998: ITT Automotive, Standard Products, Tenneco Automotive
1997: Eaton Corporation, Ogura Corporation, Rockwell International, TRW
1996: BorgWarner, Donnelly Corp., Ford Motor Co., Gates Rubber, Delphi
Thermal Systems
About the Invest in France Agency North America (IFANA)
The Invest in France Agency is the French government agency for
international investment. Invest in France Agency North America provides US,
Canadian and Mexican executives with customized, confidential, complimentary
services including financial and fiscal incentives, key industry contacts and
site selection studies. Its mission is to help North American companies find
the most profitable and competitive solution in France for their business in
Europe.
SOURCE Invest in France Agency
 back to top
Related links:
http://www.sae.org
http://www.investinfrancena.org
CONTACT:
Alicia Stanley of French Technology Press
Office, +1-312-222-1235, ext. 22, contact.ftpo@ubifrance.com , or
Emmanuelle Ricatte of Invest in France Agency, +1-312-661-1640,
ext. 22, ericatte@ifana.org
|
