Delphi RIMIR Operations Awarded 1999 Shingo Prize For Excellence in Manufacturing
11 May 1999
Delphi RIMIR Operations Awarded 1999 Shingo Prize For Excellence in Manufacturing
WARREN, Mich., May 11 -- Delphi Automotive Systems
today announced that its RIMIR occupant protection systems
operations in Matamoros, Mexico has been awarded the 1999 Shingo Prize for
Excellence in Manufacturing. The announcement was made by Rodney O'Neal, vice
president of Delphi Automotive Systems and president of Delphi Interior
Systems.
Established in 1988, the Shingo Prize for Excellence in Manufacturing is
named after Japanese industrialist Shigeo Shingo. The prize is awarded
annually to recognize companies that excel in the application of world-class
practices and techniques to achieve superior customer satisfaction and
business results.
"Receipt of the Shingo Prize is a testament to Delphi RIMIR's outstanding
achievements in safety, quality, delivery, cost and productivity. This
performance is the result of Delphi's commitment to global implementation of
the Delphi Manufacturing System," said O'Neal.
RIMIR has had several outstanding achievements: in safety, the facility
recorded 7 million work-hours without a lost work-day incident; in quality,
RIMIR exceeds world class benchmarks; in delivery, the facility delivered its
products 100-percent on time to both OEM and aftermarket customers; in
productivity, RIMIR recorded a more than 12 percent productivity increase in
1998 and another 17 percent improvement during the first quarter of 1999; and
has reduced lead time by 72 percent.
"Delphi's RIMIR operation is a perfect example of the principles of the
Shingo Prize model of world class manufacturing. The facility has an
exemplary management team that is truly focused on the core methods and
processes of world class manufacturing," said Ross Robson, executive director
of the Shingo Prize for Excellence in Manufacturing.
Dan Sullivan, managing director, RIMIR operations said, "I am thrilled
that Delphi RIMIR has been recognized with this award. I am particularly
proud of the energy and enthusiasm that our workforce has shown in accepting
and implementing lean manufacturing principles."
Delphi's RIMIR operations first began production of reaction injection
molded fascias in 1980. In 1995, supplemental inflatable restraints (SIR or
airbags) were added to the RIMIR product line-up. In 1997, the business was
fully converted to the occupant protection systems business. The 340,000 sq.
ft. facility has 1,800 employees and has several international customers.
Based in Logan, Utah, at the Utah State University's College of Business,
the Shingo Prize for Excellence in Manufacturing is available to manufacturers
in the United States, Mexico and Canada and to researchers throughout the
world. The philosophy of the award is that world-class status may be achieved
through focused improvements in core manufacturing processes, implementing
lean, just-in-time philosophies and systems, eliminating waste, and achieving
zero defects, while continuously improving products and costs. The Shingo
Prize board of examiners is a cross section of North American manufacturing
experts.
Delphi Automotive Systems , with headquarters in Troy, Mich.,
USA, is a world leader in automotive component and systems technology.
Delphi's three business sectors -- Dynamics & Propulsion; Safety, Thermal &
Electrical Architecture; and Electronics & Mobile Communications -- provide
comprehensive product solutions to complex customer needs. Delphi has more
than 196,000 employees and operates 168 wholly owned manufacturing sites, 51
customer centers and sales offices, and 27 technical centers in 36 countries.
Regional headquarters are located in Paris, Tokyo and Sao Paulo. Delphi can
be found on the Internet at http://www.delphiauto.com.