Ernst & Young Announces Automotive News PACE(TM) 2000 Awards Finalists
1 December 1999
Ernst & Young Announces Automotive News PACE(TM) 2000 Awards Finalists
PACE(TM) finalists exemplify innovation driving the automotive industry
DETROIT, Dec. 1 -- Ernst & Young LLP and Automotive News have
announced 19 North American and 5 European finalists for the prestigious
Automotive News PACE(TM) 2000 Awards. This is the first year in which
suppliers' European operations were invited to participate in the competition.
The annual PACE(TM) (Premier Automotive Suppliers' Contributions to
Excellence) Awards program recognizes standout automotive suppliers who have
excelled in adapting and reinventing their companies or their products and
processes to meet the growing service and quality demands of their customers
-- the world's major automotive manufacturers.
Finalists are raising the level of competition throughout the industry by
introducing new products and better practices. Innovations launched by this
year's finalists include:
* An innovation that reduces blow-molded parts count by five to one by
incorporating radiator fan shroud, coolant reservoir, front and rear washer
reservoirs; benefits include a consumer-friendly design and simple OEM
assembly.
* An airbag inflator that uses a chemical process of dissociation to
reduce the occurrence of burns while ensuring longer inflation duration,
safety and lower costs.
* An integrated detection system which monitors traffic density and
adjusts vehicle distance and speed while allowing the driver to choose setting
preferences.
* A parallel-link positioner that is programmable and extends the
flexibility of robots in the manufacturing process.
* A bevel gear-cutting process which claims an 80% reduction in
manufacturing time and a 50% reduction in cost.
* A voice technology system that allows hands-free, voice control of
multiple vehicle systems.
"As we approach the new millennium, the demand for increased productivity
and product value creates an unprecedented opportunity for technological and
innovative advances in the way we approach business. This year's finalists
and honorable mentions have come forth with enormously creative responses to
those challenges," says Lee Sage, global automotive leader of Ernst & Young.
"We are pleased to extend recognition to companies that distinguish themselves
within the industry."
Recipients of the PACE(TM) 2000 Awards will be announced at an awards
ceremony at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Mich., on Monday, March 6,
2000, which coincides with the start of the SAE International Congress and
Exposition.
The 24 finalists (please see the following) move on to the second stage in
the application process, which includes a site visit to evaluate both the
innovation and management teams of these companies. An independent panel of
distinguished judges, consisting of industry, academic and business leaders
will determine the recipients of the PACE(TM) 2000 Awards.
In addition to 24 finalists, the PACE(TM) Awards selection committee also
recognized eight entrants who received honorable mentions for their innovative
achievements. These eight companies are recognized as exceptional
contributors to the automotive industry.
For the sixth consecutive year, Automotive News and Ernst & Young are co-
presenters of the awards, which are dedicated to promoting product,
manufacturing and service achievements by automotive suppliers of all sizes.
For profiles of previous PACE(TM) winners, visit the PACE(TM) web site at
http://www.ey.com/pace . For more information call 1-800-816-PACE.
Ernst & Young (http://www.ey.com ) is one of the world's leading providers of
dot-company services in assurance, consulting, corporate finance and tax.
More than 85,000 people around the world act as creative catalysts, joining
forces with clients to do all it takes -- From Thought To Finish(TM) -- to
achieve positive, significant change. E&Y pioneered the development of
advanced solutions that connect clients, partners and employees with E&Y
resources and knowledge to help them rapidly reach their goals. Ernst & Young
refers to the U.S. firm of Ernst & Young LLP and other members of the global
Ernst & Young organization.
Founded in 1925, Automotive News is published every Monday in Detroit by
Crain Communications Inc., a privately held company that publishes over 30
consumer, business and trade publications. This newsweekly provides in-depth
coverage of the auto industry and is written for original equipment
manufacturers, their franchised dealers and suppliers. Readers are primarily
decision-makers from all segments of the automotive industry, as well as
others allied with it. It is the only 100% paid industry publication.
WWJ Newsradio 950 is the exclusive broadcast sponsor of PACE(TM) 2000.
PACE(TM) 2000 NORTH AMERICAN AND EUROPEAN
FINALISTS AND HONORABLE MENTIONS
The 19 North American finalists for the PACE(TM) 2000 Awards:
* Agilent Technologies -- SnapLED(TM) Assembly, San Jose, CA
* American Axle and Manufacturing, Inc. -- AAM Steering Linkage for GM's
GMT-800 Series Truck, Rochester Hills, MI
* AMETEK Dixson division of AMETEK, Inc. -- Interlink Multiplexed
Vehicular Gauge System, Grand Junction, CO
* Autoliv, Inc. -- ASH-2 Nitrous Side Inflator, Ogden, UT
* Dana Canada, Parish Structural Products Automotive Systems Group --
Load-bearing Structural Components Process, St. Mary's, Ontario
* Delphi Delco Electronics Systems -- Forewarn(R) Adaptive Cruise Control
System, Kokomo, Ind.
* Donnelly Corp. -- SmartRelease(TM) Trunk Entrapment Prevention System,
Holly, MI
* FANUC Robotics North America, Inc. -- F-100 Flexible Positioner,
Rochester Hills, MI
* Gentex Corp. -- Binary Complimentary Synthetic White LED Illuminators:
The New White Light, Zeeland, MI
* Gleason Corp. -- POWERCUTTING(TM) Process, Rochester, NY
* Gleason Corp. -- UMCULTIMA(TM) Gear Noise and Gear Strength
Optimization, Rochester, NY
* Guide Corp. -- Second Surface Valve Gate Technology, Anderson, Ind.
* McCord Winn, Textron Automotive -- RITec(TM) Fan Shroud Reservoir,
Manchester, NH
* McLaren Automotive Group -- ASHA Body Concept: ABC Car, Livonia, MI
* PPG Industries, Inc. -- Power-Prime(R) Two-coat Electrodeposition
Primer System, Pittsburgh, PA
* US Farathane Corp. -- HVAC Evaporator Core Seals, Sterling Heights, MI
* Valeo SA -- Park Assist System, Auburn Hills, MI
* Visteon Automotive Systems -- Visteon Voice Technology(TM), Dearborn,
MI
* Visteon Automotive Systems -- Superintegration(TM) Methodology for
Designing Integrated Components, Dearborn, MI
The 5 European Finalists for the PACE(TM) 2000 Awards:
* Delphi Chassis Systems division of Delphi Automotive -- Dynamic Body
Control, Dayton, OH
* Meritor Automotive Inc. -- Meritor Roof Module, Troy, MI
* PPG Industries, Inc. -- Automotive Powder Clear Coat, Pittsburgh, PA
* Rieter Automotive Systems -- RIETER ULTRA LIGHT Vehicle "Noise
Management" System, Winterthur, Switzerland
* Siemens Automotive Corp. -- Keyless Go(TM), Auburn Hills, MI
The 8 Honorable Mentions for the PACE(TM) 2000 Awards:
* Analog Devices, Micromachined Products Division -- ADXL276, Cambridge,
Massachusetts
* Benteler Automotive Corporation -- Integrated Air Injection Reactor
Flange System, Grand Rapids, Michigan
* Decoma division of Magna International -- Decorative Molding for a
Vehicle Door Frame, Concord, Ontario
* Delphi Chassis Systems division of Delphi Automotive -- Controlled
Monotube Dampers, Dayton, OH
* Dura Convertible Systems, Inc. -- Convertible Roof Actuation System,
Adrian, Michigan
* Oakwood Energy Management, Inc. -- SafetySteel(TM), Dearborn, Michigan
* Visteon Lighting and GE Plastic -- The Polyetherimide (PEI)
Thermoplastics Forward Lighting Complex Reflector, Redford, Michigan
* The Woodbridge Group -- Exotherm Management Technology for Slabstock
Polyurethane Foams, Mississauga, Ontario