ASC Vehicle Technologies Created to Facilitate Vehicle Design, Build

9 January 2001
ASC Vehicle Technologies Created to Facilitate Vehicle Design, Build
    SOUTHGATE, Mich., Jan. 9 /PRNewswire/ - ASC Incorporated has created a
focused group dedicated to complete vehicle design and production.  ASC
Vehicle Technologies will be located in Oak Park, Mich., and provide multi-
disciplined design, engineering and manufacture.
    "This group can harness all the necessary technologies for highest
quality, fast-to-market vehicle production programs," said Larry Doyle, ASC
president and CEO.  "We have established an extremely focused group dedicated
to seeing a vehicle from its initial design and development through to final
production."
    The new group works in close partnership with its automaker customers as
they implement their specialty vehicle strategy.  Internal disciplines - such
as styling, advanced concepts, engineering, prototyping, manufacturing
engineering, plant set-up and production management - are accessed as they are
needed.
    "We provide design and styling services in conjunction with the
automaker," said John Hrit, vice president of operations of ASC Vehicle
Technologies.  "We work with them to conduct engineering studies and final
vehicle design.  Our Oak Park facility is fully equipped to handle all levels
of design, engineering and prototyping."
    Manufacturing facilities are established as appropriate - specifically for
the customer and the individual program.  ASC begins with facility planning,
conducting a cross-functional, assembly strategy deployment study to determine
all the details of the facility.  At the same time facility planning is going
on, ASC sets up a pilot build area at its headquarters, as a testing ground
for the on-site pilot build.
    "By the time production is underway, we have tested every conceivable
build concept to determine which will be most effective," said Hrit.
"In addition, we build every facility to be QS-9000-certifiable upon opening."
    The concept behind ASC Vehicle Technologies is not new to ASC.  In a 50-50
joint venture between ASC and General Motors, GENASYS was created to handle
the GM J-body build (producing Chevrolet Cavalier and Pontiac Sunfire
convertibles).  "This joint venture handled the complete assembly of the
convertibles, and we produced vehicles from a GM facility," said Hrit.
The new team's first project is to provide engineering and design assistance
for GM's Chevy SSR - Super Sport Roadster, which will take place in Oak Park.
    ASC is a global specialty vehicle and systems company providing automotive
and specialty vehicle design, engineering, prototype and production services;
manufacturing and distribution of open-air systems, composite products and
exterior trim; and development and distribution of aftermarket vehicle
accessories.  Headquartered in Southgate, ASC maintains operations throughout
the U.S. and Canada, and in Germany and Korea.
    ASC's family of companies includes Creative Services, Vehicle
Technologies, Specialty Vehicles, Engineered Systems, Composite Systems,
Exterior Technologies, Aftermarket Products and ASC Europe.  They employ more
than 4,500 people in over 30 facilities, and have annual sales of over
$700 million.  For more information about ASC Incorporated, visit
http://www.ascglobal.com.