The Auto Channel
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
Official Website of the New Car Buyer

Lear Recognized for Innovations In Manufacturing Technology, Safety

21 June 1999

Lear Corporation Recognized for Innovations In Manufacturing Technology, Safety 
    SOUTHFIELD, Mich., June 18 -- Lear Corporation
continues to provide winning innovations in automotive interiors, taking home
three awards from Automotive and Transportation Interiors Magazine at its
annual Design and Technology Awards and Benefit Scholarship Banquet.
    The Lear Extractable Safety Seat System was named best in the Safety
category of systems in production.  Although the Extractable Safety Seat was
developed and tested for use in Formula One (F-1) open cockpit vehicles, Lear
engineers are using the knowledge gained during the production of the system
to someday benefit every driver.  The Extractable Safety Seat System has been
mandated by the FIA for inclusion in all F-1 vehicles for 1999 and beyond.
Lear also was awarded the SEMA Motorsports Award for 1998 in recognition of
the seat's outstanding contribution to safety in motorsports.
    In the Concept Division, Lear swept the Manufacturing Technology category
with a first place for EnviroFibre(TM) Recycled Urethane for Automotive
Applications.  The ElectroBond(TM) Seat Bonding Process from Lear closed out
the category.
    Envirofibre has the potential to eliminate more than two million pounds of
headliner scrap by recycling it into resin material that can be compression
molded.  The material also improves acoustical properties and is very cost
effective.  In awarding the Envirofibre first place, one judge said,
"Recycling waste will become an increasingly important driver in the next
decade."
    ElectroBond was viewed by judges as "clever and innovative" ...
representing "a new way of thinking about manufacturing."  The process bonds
seat cover material to foam using an electrical 'mat' that can be used as a
seat heater as well.  The concept was developed to combine a process and a
product to save process time and equipment cost.
    A Fortune 200 company, Lear Corporation is one of the world's largest
automotive suppliers, with 1998 proforma sales of more than $12 billion.  The
company's world-class automotive interior products are designed, engineered
and manufactured by more than 100,000 employees at over 300 facilities located
in 33 countries.  Information about Lear and its products is available on the
Internet at http://www.lear.com.