Bayside Automation Completes Second Production Installation at TRW

    PITTSBURGH--June 21, 2001--Bayside Automation, a leading supplier of automation systems and product/process consulting services, today announced that it completed its second manufacturing line at TRW Automotive's Mesa, AZ facility.
    The manufacturing site produces automotive air bag systems.
    Bayside's previous project with TRW Automotive in Mesa included designing and installing a low volume/low cost manufacturing line that enabled TRW to start low volume production while refining its manufacturing process. Later, Bayside helped with an upgrade to the low volume line that enabled TRW to produce air bag inflators at higher volumes. Recently, Bayside helped TRW install one additional manufacturing line. Bayside and TRW continued to work together to refine manufacturing processes that enable TRW to improve quality, throughput, and production yield.
    William McDougall, Bayside Automation's president and CEO, says, "We are pleased to partner with a global manufacturing leader such as TRW. Our expertise in providing product and manufacturing design services and automated manufacturing systems is helping TRW remain successful in a fiercely competitive global automotive marketplace."
    The Bayside equipment allows TRW to assemble driver side airbag inflators in a lean manufacturing environment. Together, Bayside and TRW carefully selected manufacturing processes using an appropriate balance of full automation and manual operations to yield a simple and efficient manufacturing process. Safety and quality were always the prime design drivers. The process of eliminating errors were engineered into each design to ensure product high quality. Bayside worked extensively with TRW during the concept stage to ensure an efficient, well-thought out process met TRW's manufacturing philosophy. All of the work completed so far at the Mesa facility is valued at approximately $4 million.
    Steve Williams, a lead mechanical engineer at Bayside Automation, adds, "Our successful automation projects, such as the TRW efforts, are testimony to how Bayside Automation can partner with small, medium, and large companies to help them become more productive. Our equipment design and manufacturing process expertise complement any manufacturer's needs."