Oxford Automotive and Johnson Controls Sign Joint Development Agreement to Produce Complete Door Systems
22 August 2000
Oxford Automotive and Johnson Controls Sign Joint Development Agreement to Produce Complete Door Systems
TROY, Mich., Aug. 22 Oxford Automotive, Inc., a leading
global Tier 1 automotive supplier of engineered metal components has announced
a joint development agreement with Johnson Controls , a leading
automotive interior systems supplier. The agreement formalizes initiatives
already underway to design and develop a range of modular door integration
solutions from hardware and trim integration to full-door system solutions
including Level 2 and Level 3 integrated door systems on specified programs.
More than 18 months ago, Oxford Automotive and Johnson Controls collaborated
on a Level 2 integrated door system that was displayed at the 2000 North
American International Auto Show. Johnson Controls designed and developed the
trim and hardware module for the door while Oxford Automotive utilized their
experience in door metal to optimize the sheet metal door structure by adding
strength and reducing weight.
"The Johnson Controls and Oxford Automotive relationship combines
complementary skill sets, design, engineering and manufacturing experience in
trim assemblies, hardware, structures and steel panels," said Steve Abelman,
president and CEO of Oxford Automotive. "This relationship will enable
Johnson Controls and Oxford Automotive to develop, manufacture and deliver
complete door systems ready for installation on a vehicle."
"We view supplying door systems as 'evolutionary' not 'revolutionary',"
said Lou Kincaid, group vice president, product and business development for
Johnson Controls. "We currently supply automakers with complete seat systems,
overhead systems, cockpit systems and door trim systems, so teaming up with a
leader such as Oxford Automotive to further develop Level 2 and Level 3 door
systems is the next logical step in the evolutionary process."
Johnson Controls and Oxford Automotive door system designs could
ultimately result in reduced cost, complexity, weight and warranty issues to
OEMs.
According to Kincaid and Abelman, optimizing the door structure will not
only increase automaker throughput, but it also will provide the opportunity
to reconfigure conventional packaging space -- allowing for the incorporation
of additional consumer comfort and convenience features.
The Plymouth, Michigan (U.S.A.) -- based automotive business of Johnson
Controls -- which employs more than 65,000 people at 275 facilities worldwide
- achieved US$12.1 billion in sales for the 1999 fiscal year. In model year
2000, it will supply interior products for more than 23 million vehicles.
Johnson Controls is a global market leader in automotive systems and facility
management and control. In the automotive market, it is a major supplier of
seating, interior systems and batteries. For non-residential facilities,
Johnson Controls provides building control systems and services, energy
management and integrated facility management. Johnson Controls, founded in
1885, has headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, (U.S.A.). Its sales for 1999
totaled US$16.1 billion.
Oxford Automotive, Inc. headquartered in Troy, Michigan, is a leading full
service automotive supplier of high quality engineered metal components,
assemblies and modules used by automotive manufacturers. Oxford employs over
7,000 people and currently operates 40 facilities in eight countries with
industry leading expertise in underbody modules, body-in-white assemblies and
suspension components. Visit the company's website at http://www.oxauto.com .