Fail to deliver in the BIW portion of the automotive production process and no matter how good paint, trim and final assembly are, the finished vehicle is not going to meet customer expectations of quality and comfort. Steed Webzell and Julian Buckley look at how carmakers are using the latest technologies to guarantee right-first-time in the bodyshop.
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ZF develops, produces and services driveline and chassis technologies around the world. With 123 plants in 27 countries, a global workforce of about 60,000 and total 2009 revenues of €9.4 billion, it is one of the world’s largest automotive supply companies.
In 1984, ZF took a majority stake (at the time 51%) in a group of companies located in Lemförde, Germany, which remains the location of the current company headquarters. Those companies included Lemförder Metallwaren, with its German and international subsidiaries.
ZF subsequently increased this holding to 75.6% and in 2003, acquired the remaining shares to make it a wholly-owned subsidiary. In exchange, a former shareholder, the Dr Jürgen-Ulderup Foundation, received a 6.2% share of the ZF Group.
As the ZF Car Chassis Technology Division, ZF Lemförder today develops and produces a variety of vehicle components and complete front and rear axle systems for vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of up to 3.5 tonnes. Two of ZF Lemförder’s key plants, at Dielingen and Diepholz, serve to illustrate how new investment in skills, facilities and capital equipment is further strengthening the company’s already enviable market position as a lead supplier of driveline components, including ball joints and control arms, to virtually all automotive OEMs and aftermarket independents.
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