All Valeo North American Plants to be ISO 14001 Certified by June
AUBURN HILLS, Mich.--April 3, 2002--All Valeo North American manufacturing facilities are expected by the end of June to be certified by the International Organization of Standardization (ISO) for compliance with the ISO 14001 Environmental Management requirements.This affirms Valeo's commitment to respecting and improving the environment through its environmental policies, according to Robert P. Strazzella, Valeo's Group Vice President - North America.
The Valeo environmental management system is based on ISO 14001, which integrates business practices with environmental goals to minimize environmental impacts, improve productivity and reduce waste.
Independent auditors examine each plant's management systems, recommending certification for those that have all necessary systems in place to comply with ISO standards. Each facility then is audited periodically to maintain ISO 14001 certification. ISO is a global federation of national standard organizations devoted to promoting global standards for goods and services to facilitate international trade.
To date, eleven Valeo North American plants have achieved ISO 14001 Certification Status.
Plants already certified are:
| -- | Seymour, Indiana, Valeo Sylvania Lighting; |
| -- | Hampton, Virginia, Transmissions; |
| -- | San Luis Potosi, Mexico, Engine Cooling; |
| -- | San Luis Potosi, Wiper Systems; |
| -- | Toluca, Mexico, Climate Control; |
| -- | Toluca, Mexico, Security Systems; |
| -- | Juarez, Mexico, Wiper Systems; |
| -- | Queretaro, Mexico, Friction Materials; |
| -- | Rio Bravo, Mexico, Switches & Detection Systems. |
| -- | The Decatur, Illinois, and Grand Prairie, Texas, Climate Control plants, which are scheduled to close this summer, also are certified. |
Seven plants expect certification by the end of June. They are:
| -- | Rochester, New York, Wiper Systems/Motors & Actuators; |
| -- | Jamestown, New York, Engine Cooling; |
| -- | Greensburg, Indiana, Engine Cooling; |
| -- | Hamilton, Ohio, Climate Control; |
| -- | San Luis Potosi, Mexico, Electrical Systems; |
| -- | Queretaro, Mexico, Valeo Sylvania Lighting; |
| -- | Juarez, Mexico, Motors and Actuators; |
| -- | The Fort Worth, Texas, Switches and Detection Systems plant, which was pursuing certification, will close by the end of 2002. |
Valeo is an independent industrial Group fully focused on the design, production, and sale of components, integrated systems, and modules for cars and trucks. As of the end of 2001, the Group has 143 plants, 53 research and development centers, 10 distribution centers and employs nearly 70,000 in 25 countries worldwide. For more information, see www.valeo.com.