Hyundai American Technical Center Joins AIAG for Manufacturing and Supply Chain Solutions

SOUTHFIELD, MI--March 5, 2014: Hyundai America Technical Center, Inc. (HATCI)—the design, technology, and engineering arm for all North American models of the Korean-based Hyundai-KIA Motors Group—has joined the Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) as its newest OEM member. HATCI is a cutting-edge facility in Superior Township, Mich., that serves as the core research base for the automaker's production and sales support in North America. This technical center is the hub for designing, planning, and overall development of all Hyundai and KIA automobiles tailored to the North American market.

"Hyundai Kia is always looking for ways to create solutions which resolve manufacturing and supply chain issues," says Jake Welland, materials development manager for HATCI. "Joining AIAG is a logical step to having all of the right tools to accomplish this."

In particular, HATCI is interested in AIAG's chemical management, regulatory, and environmental training and initiatives, including the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). "In the short term, we plan to work with AIAG's GHS Group, which deals with chemical safety as well as some of their quality initiatives," says Welland. "AIAG's product catalog of publications and training is another thing we plan to benefit from."

As the HATCI management and staff become more familiar with AIAG and its offerings, Welland says his team will expand its interests. "Longer term, we will be pulling in other affiliates who can benefit from AIAG's supply base quality support systems," Welland continues. "Collaboration, whether internal or external, is part of Hyundai Motor Group's corporate philosophy. Working together with AIAG will help us in fostering this core competency."

"We are very excited to welcome Hyundai to the AIAG family," says Tanya Bolden, AIAG's development manager for the Corporate Responsibility Program. "We look forward to engaging their technical expertise in our collaborative efforts to help the industry manage our growing list of chemical and environmental compliance challenges, our sustainability reporting initiatives, and our ongoing efforts to understand, map, and remedy potential supply chain disruptions."