Supply and Demand

SGI and Boeing Team Up

SGI announced an agreement with The Boeing Company to jointly provide manufacturing industry solutions for achieving Six Sigma-quality products and processes, as well as real-time optimization solutions to maximize the productivity of processoriented applications.

According to terms of the agreement, SGI will receive a license to distribute a variety of problem-solving software developed by Boeing. In addition, experts in optimization analysis within Boeing Phantom Works’ Mathematics and Computing Technology organization will provide consultation services in Design for Six Sigma integrated with multidisciplinary design optimization and real-time optimization solutions for process applications.

SGI and Boeing will offer a holistic solution that includes software, hardware and consulting services.

Lavergne Group Increases Capacity

The Lavergne Group has completed the design and installation of additional twinscrew compounding capacity. According to Lavergne, this will add 20 million pounds to present annual capacities. They are also expanding product lines to include filled recycled polyamide resins.

DENSO Expands Manufacturing Facility

DENSO is planning a $9 million expansion at its facility in Battle Creek, Mich.’s Ft. Custer Industrial Park. The 92,000 sq.-ft. expansion will increase total plant space to over 1 million sq.-ft. and will provide space for a new aluminum radiator line and a new aluminum heater core line.

Bosch Expands Programs

Robert Bosch Corp. has begun expansion efforts for its Bosch Service Center and Bosch Auto Parts Specialist programs. The Bosch Service Center network, which began in 1985, seeks to enroll and authorize the premier independent automotive service dealers across the U.S. The Bosch Auto Parts Specialist program signs and aids service dealers who sell Bosch aftermarket service parts but may not be of a level to attain BSC status.

Robert Bosch Corp. says the initial enrollment goal of the BSC program was 500 shops. The new goal established recently is to have 700 U.S. service dealers enrolled by the end of 2003.

Actify Forms Licensing Relationship with EDS PLM Solutions

Actify Inc. has licensed PLM Vis software from the PLM Solutions division of EDS to enable Actify’s SpinFire family of products to support the PLM Vis JT data format.

The licensing agreement with EDS PLM Solutions provides Actify with native translation technology designed to enable Actify to deliver visualization for EDS’ JT format. Actify’s CAD importers are modules that enable its SpinFire Professional and Actify Server software to open CAD files without the use of a CAD system. Actify CAD importers open and read files from all major CAD systems, and convert them into Actify’s compact, secure and shareable .3D file format.

Timken and Stanadyne Form Alliance
Timken and Stanadyne Precision Engine Products Corp., a subsidiary of Stanadyne Corp., have agreed to jointly develop and market advanced components for the automotive engine valve train market worldwide. The alliance will link Stanadyne’s Precision Engine Products Corp. subsidiary and the automotive powertrain group of Timken U.S. Corp., a Timken subsidiary. Under the terms of the agreement, Timken will design and manufacture roller finger followers for integration with hydraulic lash adjusters developed and produced by Stanadyne.

The alliance will build on the respective strengths of Stanadyne and Timken in engine product technology, geographic coverage and customer base. Each company will contribute engineering and manufacturing expertise in its specific product and application competencies.

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Europe

Toyota Appoints New Executives in Europe

Toyota Motor Corp. has appointed Tadashi Arashima the new president and chief executive officer of Toyota Motor Marketing Europe effective June 27. Arashima will be responsible for all marketing and sales activities across Europe. In addition, Alan Jones has been named executive vice president of Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing Europe (TMEM) and chairman of Toyota Motor Manufacturing U.K. (TMUK).

As executive vice president of TMEM, Jones will assume direct responsibility for the Quality and Production Engineering divisions. Jones is also the first European to hold a post of managing officer for TMC. Bryan Jackson will succeed Jones as Managing Director of TMUK.

Kazuhiko Miyadera has been appointed as executive vice president at TMEM. Miyadera will assume responsibility for Research and Development at TMEM. As part of a new streamlined management system, aimed at boosting Toyota’s global competitiveness, Arashima and Jones will also hold the title of Managing Officer of Toyota Motor Corp.

Metaldyne Expands in Germany

Metaldyne’s Engine Group has established a European Technical Center in Dieburg, Germany. The technical center supports advanced product development for the Engine Group’s core products including rubber and viscous dampers, powder metal connecting rods, conventional powder metal components, Front Engine Modular Assemblies (FEMA), balance shaft modules and tubular products.

In addition to its focus on advanced product development, the German Tech Center team will work closely with other European Engine Group engineering and manufacturing facilities in Lyon, France; Halifax, U.K.; Barcelona, Spain; and Valencia, Spain; as well as the North American Technical Center in Plymouth, Mich.

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Asia

GM to Cut its Work Force in Japan

General Motors Corp. plans to cut its Japanese work force by as much as 50 percent and shift some sales responsibilities to its Japanese partners. GM announced plans to shift the distribution, importation and aftermarket sales of parts for its Chevrolet brand to Suzuki Motor Corp. Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd., the parent company of Subaru, will distribute Saab vehicles.

TT Electronics and BAE Systems form Partnership

TT Electronics plc has entered into a new strategic partnership with BAE Systems to jointly develop and manufacture automotive sensor modules featuring MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical System) gyroscope technology. BAE Systems developed a micro-machined silicon ring gyroscope, which is manufactured by Silicon Sensing Systems, a JV company equally owned by BAE Systems and the Sumitomo Corporation in Amagasaki, Japan.

Linamar and McLaren Performance Technologies — Revised Letter of Intent

Linamar Corp. and McLaren Performance Technologies Inc. have entered into a revised, non-binding letter of intent under which Linamar proposes to acquire by merger all of the issued and outstanding shares of McLaren Performance common stock. The initial non-binding letter of intent dated March 26, 2003, and amended April 9, 2003, contemplated payment to McLaren Performance stockholders of $1.03 per share of McLaren Performance common stock held.

After conducting an extensive due diligence investigation, Linamar notified McLaren Performance of its unwillingness to proceed with the transactions as contemplated by the initial non-binding letter of intent.

Upon consideration and subsequent negotiations, the parties have entered into a revised non-binding letter of intent, which contemplates that each share of McLaren Performance common stock outstanding as of the closing date of the merger would be converted into the right to receive $.8875 in cash.

Delphi Plans Investment on Advanced Fuel Injectors
Delphi Corp. has announced plans to invest $12 million to introduce advanced Multec 3 gasoline fuel injectors. The injectors will be produced at Delphi Shanghai Dynamic and Propulsion Systems Co. Ltd., a wholly-owned operation located in Waigaoqiao Free Trade Zone in Pudong, Shanghai, for customers in Asia Pacific.

Five production lines will be added to the current facility and initial production will begin this September. To accommodate manufacturing, a special production clean room of more than 1,100 square meters is under construction. This clean room is fully equipped to precisely control environment temperature, humidity and airborne particulates. Delphi’s advanced Multec 3 was launched in the U.S. and European markets last year.