CHICAGO, April 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Three top North American automotive
companies were honored by the French government at the tenth annual Invest in
France Automotive Awards ceremony held at the Detroit Institute of Arts on
April 12 during the 2005 SAE World Congress.
The three companies honored this year were GM Powertrain, Magna
International, and Spartech Corporation. 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 auto 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 its
purchasing decisions 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 Frangaise 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 three
awardees were Laurent Trupin, COO of the Invest in France Agency; The
Honorable Richard Barbeyron, Consul General of France in Chicago; and Michel
Viger, President of the Invest in France Agency North America.
Receiving the awards on behalf of their companies were Tom Stephens, GM
group Vice President; George Abd, Executive Vice President of Spartech
Corporation; and Mark Hogan, President of Magna International Inc.
GM was recognized for investing approximately 160 million euros in its
Strasbourg plant to produce its new family of sophisticated 6-speed rear-wheel
drive automatic transmissions. The investment includes facility renovation,
new machinery, and equipment and tooling to support new processes. Production
is scheduled to begin in 2006. The Strasbourg plant was established in 1967
and has built more than 7.5 million transmissions. GM Strasbourg hosts the
European Technical Center for the development of automatic transmissions and
employs over 1,600 people.
Magna International received the award for the investment made by its
Cosma division, in the Faribersviller area located in the Lorraine region of
France. The company will be setting up a new facility to produce chassis
components for future vehicles of European car manufacturers.
Finally, Spartech Corporation was recently awarded a substantial, long-
term program by Visteon Corporation to manufacture coextruded, multi-layer
plastic sheets applicable in thermoformed fuel tanks. In order to produce
this new technology in Europe, Spartech has decided to invest nearly $15
million in an expansion of its Donchery facility in the Ardennes region of
France. This extension will result in the creation of approximately 50 new
jobs in the next three years for the chosen location.
Sponsors:
The 2005 Invest in France Automotive Awards ceremony was sponsored by
Butzel Long, a leading law firm with over 215 lawyers and offices throughout
Michigan and in strategic locations in Florida and China; RSM International
(RSMi), the sixth largest professional service accounting and consulting
organization in the world, operating in over 70 countries and bringing
together the talents of over 20,000 individuals in over 600 offices; and
Ward's AutoWorld, the automotive OEM industry's preferred magazine, which puts
news, trends and technology into perspective for today's automotive
professional.
Previous Recipients:
Including this year's three corporate recipients, the Invest in France
Automotive Award has been bestowed on a total of thirty-three leading North
American corporations. Previous winners are:
2004: AxleTech International, Cignet LLC, and Johnson Control, Inc.
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.
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 ext. 22
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