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At SAE Congress, TRW to Showcase Expertise in Modular Chassis System Design

19 February 1998

At SAE Congress, TRW to Showcase Expertise in Modular Chassis System Design

    DETROIT, Feb. 19 -- To showcase how its modular chassis
system design, development, testing and systems integration expertise adds
value by improving quality, cost and delivery, TRW will display a number of
ready-to-install, fully-tested chassis modules at the 1998 SAE International
Congress and Exposition at Cobo Center here next week.
    As a full-service supplier with total suspension systems engineering
capabilities, TRW is bringing the future of high-quality, cost-effective
modular suspension systems to market today.
    "While automakers are envisioning a future with advanced modules and
systems, TRW has been turning that vision into reality with the development of
a variety of modular steering and suspension products," said Frank P.
Boccabella, vice president and general manager, TRW Linkage & Suspension
Systems.  "Our innovative chassis modules, which we are currently providing to
a number of automakers, demonstrate TRW's advanced product and process
technologies, global capabilities and full-service systems engineering
expertise."
    He said TRW is currently supplying suspension corner strut modules
(including brakes, shocks and springs) to Volkswagen, various assemblies for
the new Porsche Boxster rear axle/suspension module, and front crossmember
modules to Rover.
    Last year, TRW produced and delivered 500,000 front crossmember modules to
Rover on a just-in-time basis, every 84 minutes, 24 hours a day with no more
than two hours of inventory on hand.  Boccabella said that was with
100 percent on-time delivery and no incoming inspection.  As a systems
supplier, TRW offers 17 configurations of this module -- which incorporates
100 parts -- by managing 35 suppliers.
    TRW's chassis modular approach has helped one automaker dramatically
improve productivity and quality compared to the automaker's own in-house
module production.  Using the same number of employees, TRW was able to help
its customer:

    *  Increase labor productivity by 94 percent;
    *  Reduce inventory on hand by about 90 percent;
    *  Decrease floor space by 60 percent; and
    *  Achieve world-class quality by decreasing the defective parts per
       million (PPM) by 98 percent.

    According to Boccabella, TRW can provide global automakers with various
levels of chassis modularization, including chassis "mini-modules," "midi-
modules" and "maxi-modules."  These collections of assembly-contingent and
related modules or components can be engineered, developed and assembled by
TRW and delivered just-in-time as a vehicle assembly "chunk."
    The mini-modules include the steering gear, tie rods and ends, attaching
brackets, bracket insulators and hydraulic lines.  Midi-modules incorporate
the steering gear mini-module with ball joints, lateral arm assemblies,
suspension crossmember, stabilizer bar assembly, heat shields and engine
mounts.  The maxi-modules include the steering gear, midi-module, plus
steering knuckles, brake assemblies, drive shafts (front wheel drive), springs
and shock absorbers.
    A full-service supplier with total suspension systems engineering
capability, TRW's Linkage & Suspension Systems is a leading producer of
steering linkages, control arms, stabilizer links, radius rods and suspension
ball joints.  TRW annually produces more than 40 million ball joints and is
the leading supplier of fiber-reinforced plastic stabilizer links (producing
more than 3 million a year).  The company, which offers a variety of
innovative processing technologies, also is one of the largest manufacturers
of vacuum die-cast and thixoformed suspension components.
    With 122 automotive locations in 23 countries, TRW Inc. is one
of the largest independent OEM automotive suppliers in the world.  In 1997,
the company's automotive businesses recorded sales of $7 billion, nearly
65 percent of TRW's total $10.8 billion in sales.  Based in Cleveland, Ohio,
TRW also provides advanced technology products and services for the space and
defense, and information technology markets worldwide.

SOURCE  TRW Inc.