Giffels Wins Honda Contract to Design Major Alabama Plant Expansion

TORONTO, July 12 CNW reported that Giffels Associates Limited, North America's preeminent automotive plant design and engineering firm, has once again been selected by Honda Manufacturing of Alabama, LLC (HMA) to drive the company's U.S. production upward with the announcement of a $425-million expansion of their Lincoln, Alabama facility.

Giffels, and partner BE&K Engineering of Birmingham, Ala., will complete the design and engineering scope for the new facility. The two firms designed the original plant as well, which was completed four months ahead of schedule.

"We are honoured by Honda's continued confidence in us," said Bob Hindle, President of Giffels. "As with the first portion of the plant, Giffels and BE&K will provide HMA with the best combination of local resources and automotive industry expertise."

The 1.1 million-sq.ft. addition will double the plant's capacity to produce Odyssey mini-vans and V6 engines. Construction is expected to begin in the fall of 2002 and be completed in early 2004.

The design of the plant will be geared to high performance, flexible manufacturing. The new line will incorporate Honda's state-of-the-art New Manufacturing System that allows for production based on customer demand.

Giffels was also selected by Honda in 1984 to complete design, engineering and construction management of the Japanese car maker's Alliston, Ontario facility, the first Honda plant in Canada, and has continued the relationship ever since, having designed all the subsequent plant expansions.

Giffels Associates Limited is a full-service, employee owned consulting and contracting organization offering architectural, engineering, management and construction services worldwide. The Canadian firm has extensive in-plant experience and automotive and auto parts facility design through its extensive work with industry leaders for the past 50 years.