TRW, Krupp Hoesch Automotive to Supply Chassis Modules to Chrysler
19 May 1998
TRW, Krupp Hoesch Automotive to Supply Chassis Modules to Chrysler STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich., May 19 -- TRW and Krupp Hoesch
Automotive today announced they have teamed up to supply various chassis
modules and coordinate steering systems responsibility for a future Chrysler
platform.
The announcement was made by Frank P. Boccabella, vice president and
general manager, TRW Linkage & Suspension Systems, and Dr. Jurgen Harnisch,
president and CEO, Krupp Hoesch Automotive. TRW and Krupp Hoesch have teamed
for the past year to compete for a number of chassis modules around the world.
"This latest chassis module award showcases our systems integration
expertise and full-service capabilities of designing, developing, testing and
validating complete steering and suspension systems," Boccabella said. "As a
valued supplier partner with our customers, we are bringing the future of
high-quality, cost-effective modules and systems to the global market today."
"This significant award from Chrysler establishes the TRW/Krupp Hoesch
team as a world leader in modules and systems," Harnisch said. "By teaming on
a number of programs around the world, we are demonstrating our global
strength and expertise in providing customers with ready-to-install, fully-
tested chassis modules that can add value by improving quality, cost and
delivery."
Providing modules and systems for automaker assembly -- rather than just
components -- can dramatically reduce assembly time and costs, while improving
productivity and quality. In one chassis module installation, TRW helped its
customer increase labor productivity by 94 percent, reduce inventory on hand
by about 90 percent, decrease floor space by 60 percent and achieve world-
class quality by decreasing the defective parts per million (PPM) by 98
percent.
Bochum, Germany-based Krupp Hoesch Automotive manufactures components,
modules, assemblies and systems for the automotive industry and operates
48 locations around the world. With sales of approximately $1.8 billion (more
than 3 billion deutsche mark) and 14,500 employees, it is one of the world's
leading automotive suppliers in its business segments -- chassis and
suspension, structural components, drivetrain and steering systems and
services.
Krupp Hoesch Automotive has a strong position in the North American market
with 10 locations, from which it serves all major North American automobile
manufacturers.
A full-service supplier with total suspension systems engineering
capability, TRW's Linkage & Suspension Systems business is a leading producer
of steering linkages, control arms, stabilizer links, radius rods and
suspension ball joints. TRW annually produces more than 40 million ball
joints and is the leading supplier of fiber-reinforced plastic stabilizer
links (producing more than 3 million a year). The company, which offers a
variety of innovative processing technologies, also is one of the largest
suppliers of vacuum die-cast and thixoformed suspension components.
Providing steering systems for one in four cars worldwide, TRW is
the world's leading supplier of automotive power rack and pinion steering and
suspension systems. The company's Passenger Car Steering Systems business
annually produces more than 9 million power rack and pinion steering gears
worldwide and about 400,000 integral power steering systems for commercial
vehicles.
TRW Inc. is headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, and has
sales of nearly $12 billion (including the recent BDM acquisition). The
company, which employs approximately 80,000 people in 31 countries, is one of
the largest independent automotive components suppliers in the world with $7
billion in worldwide automotive sales. The company also provides advanced
technology products and services for the space, defense and information
technology markets.