DETROIT, March 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Three top North American automotive
suppliers were honored by the French government yesterday evening at the ninth
annual Invest in France Automotive Awards ceremony held at the Detroit
Institute of Arts during the 2004 SAE World Congress.
The three companies honored this year were Johnson Controls Inc., based in
Milwaukee, WI; Cignet L.L.C. based in Troy, MI; and Axletech International,
based in Troy, 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 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 the five
suppliers were Her Excellency Clara Gaymard, Ambassador-at-Large for Foreign
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 Keith Wandell,
President, Automotive Group of Johnson Controls Inc.; Richard Crawford,
Chairman of Cignet L.L.C.; and Mary Petrovich, CEO of Axletech International.
Johnson Controls Inc. was recognized for strengthening its R&D center in
Pontoise, north of Paris, which has become the Johnson Controls center of
expertise for automotive electronics with 800 employees, and for a five
million dollar investment at the company's Sainte Florine plant in central
France. Johnson Controls is a global market leader in automotive systems and
facility management and control, and has continued to develop its business
throughout Europe since acquiring the automotive electronics business of
Sagem, a French high-tech group, in 2001.
Cignet L.L.C. was honored for completing the acquisition of the SiemensVDO
assembly plant in Lorraine, France. Cignet was formed in January 2002 as a
means to bring five separate manufacturing divisions together under one
management team. The company currently consists of Cignet Electronics SAS,
Flight Systems, Glastic Corporation, Mold-Rite Tool, and Plast-O-Foam.
AxleTech International was recognized for the expansion of its facility in
Saint Etienne, France, bringing new expertise and market presence in
proprietary drivetrain systems. This investment of more than five million
dollars translates into an addition of ninety employees to the work force.
AxleTech International was created in December 2002 through Wynnchurch
Capital's acquisition of the off-highway and specialty vehicle business of
ArvinMeritor.
Sponsors:
The 2004 Invest in France Automotive Awards ceremony is sponsored by RSM
McGladrey, a leading accounting, tax and consulting firm, Butzel Long, a
Michigan-based law firm, and Wards AutoWorld Magazine.
Previous Recipients:
Including this year's three corporate recipients, the Invest in France
Automotive Award has been bestowed on a total of thirty leading North American
corporations. Previous winners are:
2003: Advanced Accessory Systems LLC, Burgess-Norton Mfg Co., Dow
Automotive, L&L Products, Inc., Visteon Corporation
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.
Contacts at Invest in France Agency and the French Technology Press
Office:
IFANA, Emmanuelle Ricatte, tel.: (312) 628-1054, e-mail:
ericatte@investinfrance.org
FTPO, Alicia Stanley, tel.: (312) 327-5260, e-mail:
contact.ftpo@ubifrance.com
SOURCE Invest in France Agency
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Related links:
http://www.investinfrance.org
http://www.sae.org/congress
CONTACT:
Emmanuelle Ricatte of Invest in France
Agency, +1-312-628-1054, ericatte@investinfrance.org ; Alicia
Stanley of the French Technology Press Office, +1-312-327-5260,
contact.ftpo@ubifrance.com
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