AutoMOTIVE 5 - (Page 34)

focus on flexibility.qxd 24/11/06 10:37 am Page 34 particular software was applied, nothing more, nothing less. These issues have resulted in downtime beyond what was originally planned. As for the quality of this launch; it's probably the best we've ever seen from every standpoint right through to the end of the process. I'm in a situation where demand is far outstripping supply. I can't complain. I'd like to be able to meet it, but I don't mind a backlog of orders. We've already introduced the system at our Sterling Heights plant and things are moving well there. Another innovative concept implemented at Belvidere is its inbound parts sequencing centre, operated by TDS/US, one of Chrysler Group's largest minority-owned suppliers. The centre manages approximately 1,800 different parts that are used in the Jeep Compass and Dodge Caliber build process. These pre-assembled modules reduce the number of components required for vehicle assembly. The process maintains in-plant stocks at optimal levels, minimises delivery time and reduces costs by an estimated twelve percent a year compared with the previous process. The partnership between OEMs and the supply base, so Did you know ... ? vital to the implementation of flexible manufacturing, is coming under strain as more suppliers find themselves in Upholstery for car seats isn't the only financial difficulty. Peter Rosenfeld believes that there is product we manufacture . . . more to come. I think you will still see more suppliers in difficult situations, he warns. A lot of it, to be candid, has Textiles to do with the amount of expansion that went on in the A pioneer in textile machine manufacturing, St http://www.staubli.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AutoMOTIVE 5

Editors Note
News
Here For The Long Haul
Halewood. Rebirth of a Car Plant
Safety First
Focus on Flexibility
A Prophet Without Honour?
Chrysler Cuts It Four Ways
A MINI For All Reasons
Porsche Plans Continuous Logistics Improvement
Flawless, Consistent Execution
Ford's European Supplier Parks Deliver Lean Manufacturing Efficiencies
Cheap and Cheerful
Onwards and Upwards
Schrader and Siemens Electronics Assembly Systems Take the Pressure
No Faults Forward
A Long Way From Wheelbarrows and Bath Tubs
A New Era in US/Japanese Cooperation
A Dialogue of the Deaf

AutoMOTIVE 5

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