VIA Information Tools' Man-IT Sequencing Software to Help Autoliv Deliver Airbag/Steering Wheel Systems for New Ford Escape SUV

18 December 2000

VIA Information Tools' Man-IT Sequencing Software to Help Autoliv Deliver Airbag/Steering Wheel Systems for New Ford Escape SUV

    COLUMBIA CITY, Ind.--Dec. 18, 2000--VIA Information Tools, Inc. developers of the most flexible Traceability, Lot Tracking and In-Line Sequencing software systems available to the automotive manufacturing industry, announces that its Man-IT(TM) (Manufacturing Information Tool) system is being implemented at Autoliv's new airbag/steering wheel system manufacturing facility for the new Ford Escape SUV.
    According to Greg DeLaere, VIA Information Tools President and CEO, "Autoliv is a worldwide leader in automotive safety, pioneering seat belt and airbag technology. Man-IT's unique piecewise build-to-order and pack-to-order capabilities, coupled with EDI technology, mean that Autoliv's steering wheel systems arrive at Ford's point of assembly synchronized to each vehicle flowing down the assembly line. This synchronization of demand and delivery results in far less finished goods inventory for the supplier, and far less component inventory and assembly variability at the OEM."
    Bob Fish, ILVS Planning/Support Manager, Ford Motor Company, said, "Autoliv has utilized VIA's Man-IT system to send us sequenced parts with quality integrity. The Man-IT system has been in place for more than a year and half to receive electronically requested packing orders to build, pack, and ship in that requested sequence. This dependability we have experienced with Man-IT is very important to Ford because the sequenced orders allow us to reduce the amount of floor space needed to assemble steering wheels and minimize the amount of variability within this process."

    About Autoliv, Inc.

    Autoliv services the automobile industry from more than 60 subsidiaries and joint ventures in 29 countries, employing more than 27,000 people globally. The company invented the world's first side-impact airbag, the Inflatable Curtain for head protection in side impacts, and the Anti-Whiplash Seat. They continue in the forefront to automotive safety contributions by developing adaptive airbags, rollover protection systems and safety radar systems.

    About VIA Information Tools

    Kevin Prouty, Research Director, Automotive Manufacturing E-Business Strategy Group for AMR Research stated that "VIA Information Tools is expanding its presence at AutoLiv. AutoLiv uses VIA's Man-IT system to manage and track its manufacturing operations for automotive safety systems. VIA continues to dominate the automotive safety system niche while penetrating other large Tier 1 suppliers with its new inline sequencing functions for its Man-IT product."
    Man-IT promotes increased flexibility and easy implementation, providing In-Line Sequencing; Automated Data Collection; Genealogy; Serialization and Labeling; Process Management, Quality Control; and Packing. The privately held company is headquartered in Rochester, Michigan, serving worldwide automotive manufacturers.