| Nov. 25, 1999 - On December 8, PSA Peugeot Citroën will consult the
Group’s Central Works Committee concerning a plan to sell the Dijon and Saint-Etienne
facilities to Koyo of Japan. The plan calls for the creation of a joint venture owned 49 %
by PSA Peugeot Citroën and 51 % by Koyo to combine the Dijon and Saint-Etienne
facilities, which currently manufacture steering system components and mechanical
subassemblies. Technological advances in steering components are prompting automakers
to consider installing electric power-steering systems in small- and medium-sized cars.
Since PSA Peugeot Citroën does not control this new technology, it looked for a
partnership solution with a specialist manufacturer to ensure the future of the Dijon and
Saint-Etienne facilities in a company with the necessary investment resources and research
capabilities. Employment and future development of the Dijon and Saint-Etienne sites are
both key aspects of the proposed project.
PSA Peugeot Citroën selected Koyo, the world’s second largest steering system
manufacturer with a 13 % market share, for this partnership. Koyo is the leading supplier
of these systems in Asia and is also developing business in the United States, the
Mercosur countries and Europe, with plans to expand in France. It already owns a french
plant that makes steering systems for other automakers in Irigny, near Lyon, with a work
force of 1,300.
The joint venture will have a sustainable volume of business as a major supplier of
components to PSA Peugeot Citroën. It will also be able to supply the requirements of
other car manufacturers.
The transaction is scheduled to be completed on March 31, 2000. It fits in with PSA
Peugeot Citroën’s strategy to ensure strong business growth by focusing investment
and development resources on the core competencies of automobile manufacturing.
|
| WARREN, Mich., Nov. 29, 1999 - General Motors Corporation (GM), working
hand-in-hand with leading paint suppliers, will introduce the automotive industry's first
performance-based certification process for refinishing technicians at the 1999 National
Autobody Congress Exposition (NACE) which runs December 3-5 at Atlanta's Convention
Center. The new certification program is designed to ensure consistency in quality
refinishing work for GM vehicles. In today's marketplace, customers look for
competitive advantages offered through service and repair of their vehicle. The GM/Paint
Supplier performance-based certification initiative will validate a technician's
capability to perform task associated with automotive refinishing. This will increase shop
productivity, reduce comebacks and assist technicians in meeting future challenges as
paint technologies evolve. Through this unique alliance, refinishing technicians will now
receive precise and consistent direction to perform refinishing repairs while applying
current chemistries, methodologies and technologies used in their shops.
Requirements for initial assessment to qualify for certification are: a minimum of one
year of professional experience; completion of GM's paint refinish curriculum or current
ASE certification. The first assessment determines if the technician is ready for the new
performance-based certification course. If qualified, the paint manufacturer will admit
the applicant into an available refinish certification course. From that point, the
technician has six months to complete certification. Certification will be based on
technical demonstration of paint repair skills evaluated by expert paint instructors form
the paint companies. Re-certification is required every two years.
GM's aggressive paint refinishing initiative started over three years ago with the
introduction of a cutting-edge paint specification. According to Brian Dotterer, material
and technologies development manager for GM's Collision Repair Technology Center (CRTC),
"We've been approving paint systems from OEM's based on GM 4901M Paint Specification
for several years." GM 4901M requires paint manufacturers to meet a comprehensive
standard to restore appearance, performance and durability comparable to the original OEM
finish. GM was the first domestic car company to set a specification for the aftermarket
paint refinishers. Discussions have already begun with other automotive manufacturers to
create an industry-wide standard.
Technician competency must be demonstrated in the following categories:
Detailing - Sand and polish dirt from a painted panel
Blending - Blend the base coat to achieve consistent color match
Tinting - Tint color to a blendable match Paint
Application - Select, mix, reduce and adjust spray gun to spray paint
Reading Film - Measure the paint film thickness
Working Safely - Effective utilization of personal protection
GM has teamed up with an impressive roster of paint notables: BASF, PPG Industries,
DuPont, Spies Hecker, Sherwin Williams, Sikkens, Martin Senour, Standox North America Inc.
and ICI Autocolor. |
