Mercedes-Benz M-Class Plant Receives International ISO Quality Certification
10 September 1997
Mercedes-Benz M-Class Plant Receives International ISO Quality Certification
FRANKFURT, Germany, Sept. 10 -- The new Mercedes-Benz M-Class
factory in Tuscaloosa, Alabama (USA) has achieved the internationally-
recognized ISO certification, Daimler-Benz AG Board Member for Passenger Cars
Jurgen Hubbert announced today at a press conference at the International
Motor Show here.
ISO Certification came after a thorough review of company practices and
procedures by TUV AMERICA, an independent quality registrar.
"We are extremely proud to have achieved ISO certification so soon in the
young life of our new plant," said Andreas Renschler, president and CEO of
Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, the Tuscaloosa-based company responsible for
manufacturing the M-Class, All-Activity Vehicle. "The credit goes to our team
members, for they are the ones who committed to meeting these high quality
standards and worked together to do so.
"It is their efforts and dedication on a daily basis that brings to life
our Quality Policy: 'Nothing But the Best for Our Customers. Lets Do Our Best
Together.'"
Throughout the organization, internal auditing teams were established to
review key manufacturing processes, corporate procedures and practices and the
organization's overall commitment to quality. In addition to handling the
challenges of manufacturing an all-new plant, "team members" from throughout
the company joined together during the past 18 months with a common goal:
achieve ISO certification by market launch of the M-Class. The M-Class goes
on sale in the U.S. this month.
Annual production at the Tuscaloosa plant will be approximately 65,000
vehicles, with half of the M-Class volume for sale in the U.S. and the
remainder for Europe and other markets throughout the world.
Already acclaimed as a segment leader in technology, performance and
versatility, the M-Class combines the traditional benefits of a sports utility
vehicle -- true off-road capability, rugged design, generous cargo room and
towing capacity -- with the core attributes of Mercedes-Benz passenger cars,
such as performance and handling, safety, quality, comfort and luxury.
ISO is the International Organization for Standardization. It is an
organization which establishes worldwide standards for many different kinds of
industries. The ISO 9002 standard met by the Tuscaloosa M-Class plant
specifically pertains to manufacturing processes.
Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, Inc., is a member of the Daimler-Benz
Group. Daimler-Benz is the world's most comprehensive provider of
technically advanced transportation products, traffic systems and services,
and has 290,000 employees and revenues of approximately $70 billion. Daimler-
Benz is focused on the development and manufacture of Mercedes-Benz cars and
commercial vehicles, Freightliner trucks, rail systems, diesel engines and
microelectronics. Daimler-Benz Aerospace builds aircraft and space systems
and Daimler-Benz InterServices provides leasing and sales financing, mobile
communications and information technologies. North America, where Daimler-
Benz employs more than 18,000 people, is the largest regional market outside
of Europe and accounts for approximately 20 percent of worldwide revenues. In
1993, Daimler-Benz became the first German company to list its stock on the
New York Stock Exchange.
SOURCE Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, Inc.