ArvinMeritor, Lear and Altair Engineering
DETROIT, March 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Three top Detroit-based automotive
suppliers were honored by the French government when the seventh annual Invest
in France Automotive Awards celebration was held here in conjunction with the
SAE World Congress. (Note: The awards celebration was Tuesday, March 5 at the
Top of the Pontch Ballroom, Hotel Pontchartrain, Detroit.)
The three suppliers honored this year were ArvinMeritor and Altair
Engineering, both based in Troy, and Lear Corp. based in Southfield. The
Invest in France Automotive Award is presented 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 this annual award because of the importance
of the automotive industry to France. With 19 vehicle manufacturing plants
producing 3.5 million vehicles annually, the country is Europe's second
largest automotive manufacturing center. France also is home to 600 tier-one
and 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 three 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 three suppliers
were His Excellency Didier Lombard, Ambassador-at-Large for International
Investments, and Chairman, Invest in France Agency; The Honorable Dominique
Decherf, Consul General of France in Chicago; and Remi Girardot, President,
Invest in France Agency North America.
Receiving the awards on behalf of their companies were Frank Voltolina,
Vice President and Treasurer, ArvinMeritor; Randall Carron, Senior Vice
President, Lear Corp., and James R. Scapa, President and CEO, Altair
Engineering.
Altair Engineering was recognized for opening its French subsidiary in
Issy les Moulineaux, near Paris in 2001. Altair's French operation offers
product development consulting and computer aided engineering (CAE) technology
for highly engineered products. Founded in 1985, Altair Engineering is a
leading global product development consulting and technology company that
delivers innovative product strategy, design development, process automation,
and engineering software solutions to its clients. Annual revenue is $65
million.
ArvinMeritor was honored by the Invest in France Agency for expanding its
Sully sur Loire (near Orleans) manufacturing facility, which produces window
regulators, and for maintaining a strong presence in France with 10
facilities. Through its French operations, the $7-billion supplier employs
more than 2,500 people in that country and is Europe's 22nd largest supplier.
Lear Corporation was recognized for setting-up two new manufacturing
plants in France and expanding a third facility. In 2000, Lear established a
facility in Cergy Pontoise to supply car seats to PSA for the Peugeot 206
model. In 2001 Lear opened a facility in Lagny le Sec and expanded a facility
in Offranville, near Rouen, to produce door panels for Opel. Lear France had
sales of more than $470 million in 2001, which the company expects to triple
over the next several years. In Europe, Lear is the sixth largest supplier,
with sales of $4.1 billion.
The 2002 Invest in France Automotive Awards is sponsored by RSM McGladrey,
a leading accounting, tax and consulting firm in the United States with 100
offices nationwide. RSM provides services abroad through the offices of RSM
International, one of the largest professional firms in the world with office
locations in over 75 countries.
Previous Recipients:
Including this year's three corporate recipients, the Invest in France
Automotive Award has been bestowed on a total of 24 leading North American
corporations. Previous winners have been:
2001: Delphi Energy & Chassis Systems, Harman International, Moll
Industries, The Timken Company
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. The Agency's mission is to help our clients find
the most profitable and competitive solution in France for their business in
Europe. Invest in France Agency North America (IFANA) provides US, Canadian
and Mexican executives with customized, confidential, complimentary services
and information. In addition to access to financial and fiscal incentives,
IFANA's services include key industry contacts, site selection studies and
regulatory information, as well as assistance in identifying potential
partners and acquisition opportunities.
SOURCE Invest in France Agency North America
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Related links:
http://www.investinfrancena.org
CONTACT:
Mike Hedge of Hedge & Company,
+1-248-350-2190, Email: mhedge@hedgeco.com , for Invest in
France Agency; or Emmanuelle Otto of Invest in France Agency,
+1-312-661-1640, ext. 22, Email: eotto@ifana.org
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