Delphi Facility Named One of INDUSTRYWEEK's Best Plants

1 November 2000
Delphi Facility Named One of INDUSTRYWEEK's Best Plants
    WARREN, Mich., Nov. 1 Delphi Automotive Systems'
RIMIR operation, in Matamoros, Mexico, has been named a top 10
finalist in INDUSTRYWEEK's America's Best Plants competition.  Delegates from
INDUSTRYWEEK magazine visited the facility Tuesday to present an award of
recognition and personally congratulate employees and plant leadership.
INDUSTRYWEEK annually recognizes plants that are leading North American
efforts to increase competitiveness, enhance customer satisfaction, and create
stimulating and rewarding work environments.
    (Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20001019/DELPHIAS )
    "This honor reflects the commitment and enthusiasm of RIMIR's employees,"
said James A. Bertrand, vice president of Delphi Automotive Systems and
president of Delphi Interior Systems.  "This recognition is yet another
example of RIMIR's ability to successfully implement the principles of lean
manufacturing and to be leaders in a rapidly changing marketplace."
    RIMIR manufactures occupant protection systems and is part of Delphi's
Interior Systems division.  The facility has been recognized by several
prestigious organizations.  In 1999, the plant received the Shingo Prize for
Excellence in Manufacturing.  The facility also received General Motors
Supplier of the Year recognition for 1999 and was a top five finalist in the
2000 North American Global Excellence in Operations (GEO) awards competition.
    A panel of INDUSTRYWEEK editors judged the candidates' facilities.  The
panel looked for evidence of such practices as a comprehensive effort to
achieve world-class manufacturing capability, strong quality systems and
results, and a strong customer focus.
    From 1996 to 1999 RIMIR recorded more than 9.5 million work-hours without
a lost workday incident.  In quality, RIMIR exceeds world-class benchmarks,
and in delivery, the facility delivers its products 100 percent on time to
both OEM and aftermarket customers.  In 1999, RIMIR recorded a double-digit
productivity increase and further improvements during the first half of 2000.
    According to INDUSTRYWEEK, to be eligible for this recognition a plant
must be a single manufacturing plant or combination of related facilities
within a specific geographic location.  They must have completed at least
three years of operation by year-end 1999 and be located within the United
States or its territories, Mexico, or Canada.  Lastly, the facility must not
have been honored in previous editions of INDUSTRYWEEK's Best Plant report for
the last six years.
    Multi-national Delphi Automotive Systems, with headquarters in Troy,
Mich., USA; Paris; Tokyo; and Sao Paulo, Brazil, is a world leader in mobile
electronics and transportation 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 216,000
employees and operates 184 wholly owned manufacturing sites, 44 joint
ventures, 53 customer centers and sales offices, and 31 technical centers in
40 countries.  Delphi can be found on the Internet at http://www.delphiauto.com