Delphi Expands Capability of Ostrow, Poland Site To Include All-Aluminum 'A/D' Production
15 March 2000
Delphi Expands Capability of Ostrow, Poland Site To Include All-Aluminum 'A/D' Production
LOCKPORT, N.Y., March 15 Delphi Automotive Systems
continues to introduce new manufacturing technology and products
at its thermal management operation in Poland, recently adding all-aluminum
accumulator dehydrators (A/D) to its growing production capability in Ostrow.
The plant, which employs approximately 800, began ramp-up operations for
A/D production late last year, and is expected to approach full production in
the third quarter of this year, according to Marshall Andrews, director of
European manufacturing operations at Delphi Harrison Thermal Systems.
This marks the first time Delphi Thermal has manufactured A/Ds in Europe.
"The plant's experience in metal joining and heat exchangers in general
allowed it to assume this new technology and support it effectively," Andrews
said, adding that the team in Ostrow has worked closely with Delphi Thermal
colleagues in Juarez, Mexico, where large-scale A/D production also recently
began.
The plant, known as Zaklady Sprzetu Mechanicznego before Delphi Harrison
Thermal's 1996 purchase, had for years limited its automotive component
production to heat exchangers. Recently, however, it began HVAC assembly
operations. Delphi Thermal announced last year that the plant is supplying
complete systems (HVAC and engine cooling) to support Daewoo Motor Polska's
LD-100 truck platform, which goes into production later this year.
The plant's A/D production, meanwhile, will support the division's HVAC
business on a European OEM car platform that will exceed a half-million units
when first-phase production begins full swing later this year.
"When we acquired the Ostrow operation four years ago, we knew it would
become a very strategic European site," said F. Timothy Richards, Delphi
Harrison Thermal director of European operations. "Our employees there have
shown a tremendous ability to learn and implement new technology, and to work
vigorously on continuous improvement."
Shortly after joining the Delphi Thermal family, the Ostrow plant began
manufacturing brazed aluminum heat exchangers, the first such braze-based
production by any automotive supplier in Poland.
That transition and those that followed proved to be true global efforts,
and Ostrow's A/D activity is certainly no exception.
"We are following the lean concepts that have been implemented in Juarez,
and are using their best practices and lessons learned in what we're doing in
Ostrow," said Janusz Wojtowicz, Ostrow plant manager. "Following the
processes established in Juarez has helped us develop tooling and reduce
costs. It's been a true sharing of technology."
Located at the evaporator outlet, an A/D is the last stop in the air
conditioning loop before the refrigerant returns to the air conditioning
compressor. Its purpose is to keep unevaporated liquid refrigerant from
reaching the compressor, utilizing a desiccant bag to collect the moisture.
John Telesz, Delphi Thermal chief engineer, global HVAC modules and A/Ds,
noted that Ostrow uses the latest in computer-controlled welding technology to
maintain a consistent, high-quality weld. Additionally, the Ostrow operation
uses impact extruded top/upper shells, integrating the connectors in the upper
shell, a first for Delphi Thermal accumulator dehydrator production, Telesz
said.
Delphi Automotive Systems, headquartered in Troy, Mich., USA, is a world
leader in transportation and mobile electronics components and systems
technology. Delphi's three business sectors -- Dynamics & Propulsion; Safety,
Thermal & Electrical Architecture; and Electronics & Mobile Communication --
provide comprehensive product solutions to complex customer needs. Delphi has
approximately 214,200 employees, and operates 178 wholly owned manufacturing
sites, 41 joint ventures, 53 customer centers and sales offices and 27
technical centers in 39 countries. Regional headquarters are located in
Paris, Tokyo and Sao Paulo, Brazil. Delphi can be found on the Internet at
http://www.delphiauto.com