Latest News & Features – Page 166
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ArticleJLR gears up for an international future
I had the pleasure of touring the new XE bodyshop and assembly line at JLR’s Solihull complex the other week. Although it’s not running at full tilt yet, it soon will be, and I suspect that it will – like the existing assembly line for Range Rover – soon be ...
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Nelles is GM of ContiTech Power Transmission
Germany – As general manager, Philip Nelles will replace Konrad Müller, who is now head of the Air Spring Systems division, and report to Hans-Jürgen Duensing, ContiTech CEO. Nelles moves from his most recent role leading the Automotive Original Equipment segment.Nelles began his career at ContiTech Fluid Technology, completing a ...
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ArticleHonda Anna celebrates 30th anniversary
US – The OEM’s largest engine plant worldwide, covering 2.4m sq.ft, has produced more than 20.1m units since launch, while its workforce has grown from 94 to 2,800 personnel. Over the last four years, the Ohio facility has received investment totalling $2.25 billion.In 2014, Honda installed at Anna its most ...
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ArticleFord of Britain makes management changes
UK – The company has announced three senior appointments subsequent to the arrival of Andy Barratt as chairman and managing director, Ford of Britain, on July 1. Barratt replaced Mark Ovenden, who became president and CEO of Ford Sollers, Ford’s joint venture with JSC Sollers in Russia.Kevin Griffin steps into ...
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ArticleKett departs FCA role in APAC
US – General manager John Kett is leaving the company to pursue opportunities elsewhere. He will be replaced on an interim basis by Mike Manley, who is currently chief operating officer, APAC Region, as well as president and CEO of Jeep.FCA said that Manley will assume Kett’s responsibilities with the ...
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ArticleFCA turns out first 2016 Ram 3500
Mexico – Job one of the heavy-duty pick-up truck, with 900lb-ft of torque, rolled off the line at Saltillo Truck Assembly Plant. The vehicle was a Mega Cab Laramie Longhorn.All 2016 Ram 3500 dual configurations with a 6.7-litre Cummins and Aisin transmission are capable of towing at least 30,000lbs, according ...
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Belker becomes Schenck’s CFO
Germany – Replacing Wolfgang Kleinschimdt, who is leaving the company to pursue other interests, Othmar Belker will take up his position as chief financial officer and member of the management board on August 1.From 2006 to March 2015, Belker was CFO of connection technology specialist Norma Group in Maintal, near ...
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ArticleVW builds 500,000th Passat at Chattanooga
US – The milestone vehicle was a Candy White Limited Edition with a 1.8-litre turbo engine. The achievement was reached in the midst of a $900m expansion to add a second model, a seven-seat SUV.“Built in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the Volkswagen Passat embodies the spirit of America and continues to play ...
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ArticleSaltillo South Engine gains WCM Bronze
Mexico – The FCA facility in Coahuila has become the third in the country and the tenth in North America to achieve this World Class Manufacturing (WCM) status, five years after implementing the system.Saltillo South Engine Plant (SSEP) assembles the 3.6-litre Pentastar V-6 engine, which powers the Dodge Journey, Dodge ...
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ArticleTaking care
OEMs are adopting a more proactive approach to employee wellbeing, including improved ergonomicsAs the baby-boom generation grows older and the average age of employees rises, automotive manufacturers are responding to the need for more ergonomic workplaces. In addition, the younger generation coming through is bringing with it a different set ...
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ArticleSteel: Stronger and lighter
Wider application of UHSS and AHSS is making vehicle structures much lighter, and the next generation of steel grades promise even greater weight reduction – perhaps challenging the rise of aluminiumAs far as lightweight materials are concerned, ultra-high and advanced high-strength steels (UHSS and AHSS) are quite good value for ...
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ArticleEditor's note: Metal matters
It would seem that OEMs are spoilt for choice when it comes to selecting the materials with which to build their vehicles. Steel still dominates, but aluminium is gaining ground and composites are now becoming a more realistic option in high-volume production. The competition between the different material suppliers is ...
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ArticleEnergy data management system
The zenon energy data management system that COPA-DATA is introducing is claimed to provide a new solution package which will support companies to introduce and implement productive energy management.The system can be integrated into existing infrastructures and can centrally read, gather and process large amounts of data from various sources ...
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ArticleNew VSD air compressors offer energy savings
Atlas Copco has extended its portfolio of oil-injected rotary screw compressors with the introduction of new GA 110-160 VSD models. The company says the addition of energy efficient variable speed drive technology to its GA 90+-160 range provides for energy savings of up to 35%, cutting the life cycle cost ...
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ArticleFCA Kokomo’s 1m transmissions
US – The plant in Indiana has produced its 1millionth TorqueFlite 845RE unit, almost three years after the start of manufacturing operations for the eight-speed transmission. The launch and a subsequent production expansion have required investment of around $860m at Kokomo since 2010.The eight-speed transmission powers six models – the ...
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ArticleFord reduces production-line injury rate
US – The company says it has cut the number of injuries to its 50,000-strong workforce in the country by 70% since 2003, through new ergonomics research, lift-assist devices, workstation redesign and data-driven process changes.“We refer to our assembly line employees as ‘industrial athletes’, due to the physical nature of ...
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ArticleTravel blog: Upscaling cowboys to carmakers in Guanajuato
Two out of three restaurants at my hotel in Mexico City are Japanese. This fact is rather more significant than how it impinges on my dining options: why Japanese, why here? Because there are Japanese companies and Japanese people and it makes sense for there to be sushi. A good ...
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ArticlePerfect casting
Executive director Ed Grainger explains how Grainger & Worrall has transformed the ‘black art’ of casting into a high-tech operation to meet the demands of clients including F1, NASCAR and supercar makersAMS: Could you provide an overview of how the company has developed?Ed Grainger (EG): The company was established in ...
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ArticleStrothmann wins VW Puebla contract
Mexico – Volkswagen de México has commissioned the automated equipment supplier to modernise a press line at its plant in Puebla. The carmaker has opted for electronic parts transfer via the CompactTransfer system, which is suitable for small installation spaces and can be adapted to the specific requirements of the ...
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ArticleNew industrial cameras
The new XCG Cubic GigE Series cameras include PoE capability to provide users with the convenience of single-cable operation for power and control claims Sony. The company says this new range contains a number of advanced new features including enhanced frame rate performance and low trigger latency capabilities.These new models ...