Eleven Suppliers Win Prestigious 2005 Automotive News PACE Awards
DETROIT, April 12 -- Eleven automotive suppliers won 2005 Automotive News PACE Awards for innovation during a black tie ceremony last night at the Max M. Fisher Music Center in Detroit, Mich. Two automotive manufacturers were also honored with the first-ever Automotive News PACE Innovative OEM Collaborator Awards during the program.
The 11th annual awards program for innovation in the automotive supply chain was open to suppliers that contribute products, processes, materials or services directly to the manufacture of cars or trucks worldwide. The prestigious PACE (Premier Automotive Suppliers' Contribution to Excellence) Award is presented by Automotive News, Capgemini and Transportation Research Center Inc. (TRC Inc.). Additional sponsors are the City of Sunderland and the Original Equipment Suppliers Association.
Selected from among 22 finalists, the 2005 PACE Award winners -- by category -- are:
Product - Innovations in new products or components or systems that have significant market impact and act as "game changers" in the automotive industry:
* DURA Automotive Systems, Inc., Body & Glass Division - RackLift * Gentex Corporation - SmartBeam * Illinois Tool Works Inc. - Direct Fill System * Multimatic Inc. - I-Beam Control Arm * Tenneco Automotive Inc. - Kinetic RFS Technology * Valeo Switches and Detection Systems - Lane Departure Warning Systems
Product-Europe - As above, but for innovations that are developed and first commercialized in Europe:
* Advanced Automotive Antennas, S.L. - Fractal Antennas * BorgWarner Inc. - DualTronic System
* Siemens VDO Automotive, Information Systems Passenger Cars - Head-Up Display
Manufacturing Process & Capital Equipment - Innovations involving game- changing processes (manufacturing or business) or innovative capital equipment that support the automotive supply chain or manufacturing processes:
* Siemens VDO Automotive, Powertrain Fuel Components - DEKA VII Electronic Gasoline Fuel Injector
Information Technology & Services - Innovations in the design and implementation of information systems solutions that enable companies to improve operational performance or for services and delivery of services:
* i2 Technologies, Inc. - i2 Optimal Scheduler
"Every winner that emerges from the rigorous Automotive News PACE Award review process is truly exceptional in the industry," said Keith Crain, Automotive News publisher and editor-in-chief. "These eleven companies are clearly playing to win -- today and in the challenging global market ahead."
OEMs receiving Automotive News PACE Innovative OEM Collaborator Awards during last evening's ceremonies were:
* Chrysler Group for its collaboration on the RackLift innovation with DURA Automotive Systems, Inc.; and
* Mercedes-Benz AG for its collaboration on the C4000 Entry/Exit Safety Light Curtain with SICK, Inc.
Innovative OEM Collaborator Award winners were selected from nominations by the 2005 Automotive News PACE Award finalists.
PACE Award winners were chosen following a thorough review of written submissions from each supplier and site visits by a panel of judges, drawn from among industry, academic and business leaders.
Profiles of each PACE Award winner's product, process and/or service is available by visiting Automotive News at http://www.automotivenews.com/pace , Capgemini at http://www.us.capgemini.com/PACE or Transportation Research Center at http://www.trcpg.com/pace.htm .
2005 Automotive News PACE Award Sponsor Background
Automotive News is a critical source of news, data, analysis and information for the North American auto industry. It is the flagship of a worldwide group of publications that also includes Automotive News Europe and Automobilwoche. The weekly publication provides in-depth coverage of the auto industry and is written for automakers, dealers and suppliers. Automotive News' circulation is over 80,000 and is the only 100 percent paid publication in the industry. The group's Web sites, http://www.automotivenews.com/ , http://www.autonewseurope.com/ and http://www.automobilwoche.de/ are the global industry's sources of news as it happens.
Capgemini, one of the world's foremost providers of Consulting, Technology and Outsourcing services, has a unique way of working with its clients, which it calls the Collaborative Business Experience. Through commitment to mutual success and the achievement of tangible value, the company helps businesses implement growth strategies, leverage technology and thrive through the power of collaboration. Capgemini employs approximately 60,000 people worldwide and reported 2004 global revenues of 6.291 billion euros. More information about individual service lines, offices and research is available at http://www.capgemini.com/ .
Capgemini's automotive practice serves 14 of the world's 15 largest vehicle manufacturers and 10 of the 12 largest automotive suppliers. Its automotive sector generates value for companies through automotive-specific service offerings and global delivery capabilities. Capgemini's Collaborative Business Experience makes automotive companies stronger by combining what they do best with what Capgemini does best to improve performance.
Transportation Research Center Inc. (TRC), an affiliate of Ohio State University, is an independent manager of Transportation Research Center, a transportation proving ground supporting the automotive industry. The company specializes in R&D testing as well as testing to FMVSS and industry certification/compliance standards. Testing for safety, fuel economy, emissions, durability and performance are accomplished at the 4,500-acre facility, which includes: 7.5-mile test track, crash testing facility, 24" HYGE Sled, Static Fixture Labs, emissions laboratory, 50-acre Vehicle Dynamics Area, 9,000-foot skid pad, off-highway area and ride quality roads. TRC Inc. is an ISO 9001 and 14001 registered company. For information on TRC Inc., visit http://www.trcpg.com/ .