ThyssenKrupp - Mittwaldserver.info

Inside06I04_Auto_EN_07122004
15.12.2004
12:04 Uhr
Seite 01
ThyssenKrupp
inside
ThyssenKrupp Automotive
Project center starts work
Automotive
Inside06I04_Auto_EN_07122004
02
15.12.2004
12:04 Uhr
Seite 02
| JOINT VENTURE
01
02
01 Joint venture | Hans-Peter Stephani, Chairman of the Management Board of ThyssenKrupp Gerlach and the crankshaft Executive Committee, and
Kaoru Goto, Vice President Sumitomo Metal Industries, at the contract signing ceremony. 02 Crankshafts | Crankshafts for all engine types are forged in
the crankshafts group. Photos: ThyssenKrupp Gerlach
CRANKSHAFTS
New joint venture with Sumitomo in China
ThyssenKrupp Automotive has taken a 34% stake in “Huizhou Sumikin Forging Co., Ltd.”, Huizhou/China, (HSFC). The other shareholders in this Chinese
crankshaft manufacturer are the Japanese companies Sumitomo Metals Industries, Ltd., and the Sumitomo Corporation.
Huizhou Sumikin Forging commenced production of forged
The investment in HSFC will strengthen ThyssenKrupp Auto-
crankshafts for cars on a 6,000 t press line in November. The
motive’s leading position in the international crankshaft market.
company employs around 100 people and will make approx.
From production locations in Germany, France, Brazil and the
800,000 car crankshafts per year. The investment in HSFC will
USA, the companies of the “crankshafts” division turn out some
increase ThyssenKrupp Automotive’s presence in Asia and
twelve million crankshafts every year for cars, the commercial
provide an opportunity to participate in the growth in Chinese,
vehicle and engine industries and for motorcycles. The customer
Korean, Japanese and European vehicle models.
portfolio includes virtually all car and commercial vehicle manufacturers.
The crankshafts division comprises:
ThyssenKrupp Gerlach
ThyssenKrupp Mavilor
ThyssenKrupp Gerlach Company
ThyssenKrupp Atlas
ThyssenKrupp Metalúrgica Campo Limpo
ThyssenKrupp Metalúrgica Santa Luizia
ThyssenKrupp Fundições
ThyssenKrupp Metalúrgica de México
Huizhou Sumikin Forging Corporation
Homburg (Saar), Remscheid
L’Horme
Danville, Veedersburg
Fostoria
Campo Limpo
Santa Luzia
Barra do Piraí, Matozinhos
Puebla
Huizhou
Germany
France
USA
USA
Brazil
Brazil
Brazil
Mexico
China
IMPRINT
THYSSENKRUPP INSIDE Magazine for employees of ThyssenKrupp Automotive
PUBLISHER | ThyssenKrupp Automotive AG, Bochum EDITOR | Thomas Jungbluth (editor-in-chief) EDITORIAL OFFICE | ThyssenKrupp Automotive AG,
Postfach 10 14 11, 44714 Bochum, Germany, Alleestrasse 165, 44793 Bochum, Germany, Telephone: +49 234 9 19-60 13, Fax: +49 234 9 19-60 15,
E-mail: [email protected], Internet: www.thyssenkrupp-automotive.de/site/presse/presse.htm DESIGN | ma.solutions, Essen, Germany
LITHO | NovaConcept, Berlin, Germany OVERALL PRODUCTION | Krupp Druckereibetriebe, Essen, Germany.
Reproduction stating source permitted. Specimen copy requested.
ThyssenKrupp inside
06 | 04
Automotive
Inside06I04_Auto_EN_07122004
15.12.2004
12:04 Uhr
Seite 03
GREETING |
Dear employees,
ThyssenKrupp Automotive continued its growth course in fiscal 2003/04. Sales increased by 16%, order intake
by 18% and earnings by 53% compared with the prior year. The reasons for this included various successfully
implemented restructuring and cost reduction measures in the individual companies, as well as numerous new
orders. The roughly 500 new ThyssenKrupp best projects we launched also led to a noticeable improvement in
our operating efficiency. I would like to thank all employees who are or were involved in the various projects for
their great effort and at the same time encourage all other employees to follow suit.
ThyssenKrupp Automotive has also further optimized its portfolio to strengthen our market position. With the
new company ThyssenKrupp PrestaSteerTec we are now able to provide complete steering systems for cars and
commercial vehicles. The shareholding in the engineering service provider Bertrandt AG enables us to offer our
customers integrated technology, development, process and production know-how. As a full service supplier,
we will be involved even more frequently in automotive manufacturers’ product development processes at the
earliest possible stage. The allocation of Nothelfer to the Automotive segment will further concentrate our chassis
construction expertise.
The economic boom in China is also having a positive effect on the automotive industry. Virtually all major
auto manufacturers are now producing in China or intend to do so in the future. ThyssenKrupp Automotive
has also further increased its presence there and participated in three new joint ventures to produce steering
systems, chassis parts and crankshafts. In addition, we have expanded our cooperation with Asian auto
manufacturers.
ThyssenKrupp Automotive has established itself as one of the world’s leading automotive suppliers. In order to
continue to operate successfully on the market in the future, we will pool the entire know-how and potential of
our companies even more closely. Strengthening communications and cooperation between the companies of
the Automotive segment on the one hand and cross-segment cooperation within the ThyssenKrupp Group on
the other offers a unique competitive advantage. Through cross-segment cooperation and targeted innovation
management we can tap enormous growth potential and offer our customers attractive solutions and products
exactly when they are needed.
All this can only succeed if you, the employees, contribute to making ThyssenKrupp Automotive more innovative, more flexible and more efficient. However, I have no doubt that our joint commitment will help us succeed.
ThyssenKrupp Automotive will continue to drive in the fast lane.
On behalf of my Executive Board colleagues and myself, I wish you and your families a peaceful and enjoyable
Christmas and personal well-being and health for 2005. I wish us all a successful fiscal 2004/05.
Yours,
Wolfram Mörsdorf
ThyssenKrupp inside
06 | 04
Automotive
03
Inside06I04_Auto_EN_07122004
04
15.12.2004
12:04 Uhr
Seite 04
| PROJECT CENTER
Bochum | The new project center immediately catches the eye with its modern facade.
Photo: Rainer Schröer
PROJECT CENTER OPENED
Joint presence well-received by customers
Following a construction period of only six months, the new ThyssenKrupp Automotive project center in the immediate vicinity of the Bochum lead
company has taken up its duties. The project center provides all companies of the Automotive segment with the opportunity to handle customer
projects and joint acquisition activities centrally at the Bochum site with the support of ThyssenKrupp Automotive Systems.
Around 20 employees from the ThyssenKrupp Automotive
SteerTec) and development and assembly system expertise
Systems sales and development departments are permanently
(ThyssenKrupp Automotive Systems) reveals an unrivaled depth of
located at the project center. They provide the integration servi-
added value that ThyssenKrupp Automotive can exploit to address
ces for all other Automotive companies that are required when
the market.
handling joint projects.
This is the task that project center has set itself.
This integration service cements a permanent, project-related
internal exchange between the companies of ThyssenKrupp Automotive, who also present a more unified front than in the past
The new project center offers the following facilities:
¡
An office area over two floors with four project offices, each
to the OEMs. The project center concept has already received
with space for 16 people, equipped with PCs/workstations,
positive feedback in various customer meetings, motivating all
internet access from every desk and network connection to
those involved to develop this idea further.
the head office infrastructure. One project office is fitted out
A look at the chassis product portfolio with its structural com-
for design and engineering work. Three project offices are
equipped for communicative project work with all standard
ponents (ThyssenKrupp Sofedit, ThyssenKrupp Automotive Tallent
office tools. A secretarial office with a central supply function
Chassis, ThyssenKrupp Umformtechnik, Brackwede plant), shocks
for the project center is integrated into the office area.
(ThyssenKrupp Bilstein), steering gears (ThyssenKrupp Presta
ThyssenKrupp inside
06 | 04
Automotive
Inside06I04_Auto_EN_07122004
15.12.2004
12:04 Uhr
Seite 05
PROJECT CENTER |
01 Exhibits | The various exhibits are shown to particular advantage
in the light-flooded showroom. 02 Customer order | Many details
have to be discussed before a project can be successfully realized.
03 Infrastructure | The project offices are equipped with state-ofthe-art communications technology. Photos: Rainer Schröer
01
¡
The smart central area of the project center accommodates
a large well-lit showroom in the entrance area on the ground
floor which is available for rotating ThyssenKrupp Automotive
product exhibitions.
Three meeting rooms are located on the first floor which can
be linked together if required to enable up to 30 employees
to participate in round table discussions. Each meeting room
is equipped with beamer technology, audio links and central
network access. Furthermore, video conferences can be held
here, supported by modern media technology.
¡
Adjoining the showroom is a workshop which will provide
space for three lifting platforms and a prototype construction
area on a second level. The workshop, with its wide range of
potential uses, will be completed by the end of 2004 and is
currently being used to finish a large chassis system prototype
02
assembly order. It will be possible to carry out benchmarking
for vehicles there from January 2005 and to examine potential
applications.
Expansion of the project center is already being considered.
Plans include the integration of a test center and a pilot plant
area for production process development and verification of
system assemblies in prototype construction phases. Intensive
use of the project center by the ThyssenKrupp Automotive
companies will accelerate these expansion plans.
Steffen Schmidt
03
ThyssenKrupp inside
06 | 04
Automotive
05
Inside06I04_Auto_EN_07122004
06
15.12.2004
12:04 Uhr
Seite 06
| THYSSENKRUPP BUDD
DEVELOPMENT AND PRODUCTION PARTNER
The all-new Mustang and Corvette
General Motors’ “Ford Mustang” and “Corvette” – two sports cars that set not only the hearts of drivers in the USA beating faster. Neither vehicle has
lost its appeal or exclusivity over the decades and both have now achieved virtual cult status. Both the Mustang and the Corvette are now returning to
the market in an all-new form. ThyssenKrupp Budd is supplying key components and assemblies for the two sports cars.
The company began working with Ford engineers early
The employees at ThyssenKrupp Budd’s Carey plant are
in the design and development phase for the 2005 Mustang.
contributing to the sleek appearance of the 400-horsepower V-8
ThyssenKrupp Budd design proposals for the new Mustang
Corvette from General Motors. They are manufacturing the roof,
began in 2003, and the first prototypes were ready in summer
the rear side paneling and door frames of the sports car from
2004.
SMC plastic. This material reduces vehicle weight without com-
“We were involved early on in product design, FEA (finite
promising on shape. Todd Arnsby, program manager responsible
element analysis) and assembly tool design”, said Ron Papke,
for General Motors at ThyssenKrupp Budd’s Plastic Sector,
program manager for ThyssenKrupp Budd Systems. “And
emphasizes the high demands on the quality of the individual
our ThyssenKrupp Automotive Technology and Innovation
components. “We cannot afford to make any compromises on
Center handled development testing.” Yet Ford is not only using
quality issues with a vehicle in this price range. For this reason,
ThyssenKrupp Budd as a development partner, Budd’s Hopkins-
we worked very closely with the GM quality specialists in the
ville plant is making the car’s number-two crossmember assembly,
development and preparation phases for the new Corvette.
which consists of suspension, steering gear and engine mounts
Today we are extremely proud of being able to realize even the
for the auto manufacturer. Hopkinsville also manufactures four
most demanding requirements in volume production.”
major stampings used in the assembly.”
The cooperation in the development and production of the
A new assembly line with all new tooling was installed at
Ford Mustang and the Corvette underlines ThyssenKrupp Budd’s
Hopkinsville. Well before the product launch, production team
position as a leading automotive supplier in North America. The
leaders worked with the tooling, engineering and manufacturing
result of this cooperation is impressive – two beautiful American
groups. Tom Whomsley, manager of the Hopkinsville plant:
sports cars.
Thomas Jungbluth
“They were very involved in the early days of the project, and
that helped get us ready for a smooth launch. Thanks to the
experience we have gathered in introducing new products in the
last six years, our team is well prepared for tasks like these.
Our employees have once again done a great job on the Ford
Mustang.”
Eye-catcher | The new General
Motors Corvette has been completely
re-outfitted. Photo: General Motors
ThyssenKrupp inside
06 | 04
Automotive
Inside06I04_Auto_EN_07122004
15.12.2004
12:04 Uhr
Seite 07
THYSSENKRUPP BEST |
07
EQUIPMENT PROCUREMENT
Chinese suppliers successfully integrated
ThyssenKrupp Presta continues to expand its production in China. From 2005, the steering systems specialist will be able to produce around one million
steering columns in China with its joint venture companies ThyssenKrupp Presta HuiZhong and ThyssenKrupp Presta Fawer. Annual production can be
expanded to as much as 2 – 3 million steering columns in the medium-term.
The Automotive segment’s first ThyssenKrupp best project
01
considerable risks which could potentially have arisen from a
02
in Asia has also been started at ThyssenKrupp Presta HuiZhong.
supply delay or from negative variances from the values defined
The components for the steering columns produced in Shanghai
in the requirements specification. Following customer approval,
were previously preassembled at ThyssenKrupp Presta France in
there are no further obstacles to ramping-up production on this
Florange to a large extent. The associated high costs were however
line. The project experiences were so positive that a further line
no longer reconcilable with the increasing price pressure in the
for bearing assembly has been commissioned from the new
Chinese market. The aim of the ThyssenKrupp best project is
supplier. A similar line for the joint venture in Changchun is to
to assemble the roller carriage required for the reach and rake
follow shortly. Further ThyssenKrupp best projects may result from
adjustment of the steering column locally in China. An ambitious
exporting modules to other ThyssenKrupp Presta sites with the
task!
same product range. The assembly lines needed there could also
A special feature of the project was that the equipment
be procured from the new Chinese supplier.
Marcus Deckers
needed to assemble the roller carriage was to be ordered from
a Chinese manufacturer for the first time. In addition, local roller
carriage production means that the necessary components
can be procured in China. In addition to the lower procurement
costs, the greater availability and lower costs for on-site service
support also have a positive effect. It is also possible to involve
ThyssenKrupp Presta HuiZhong employees in the local supplier’s
design and manufacturing phases.
The team, made up of Hui Wang (project manager), Hugo
Räber, Shaoling Qui, Jun Pan, Jiangen Dai, Rong Yang, Yin Chen,
Qiongzhong Tao and Zhixiong Sun, not only worked efficiently on
realizing the aforementioned advantages, but also eliminated
01 Exterior view | View of the ThyssenKrupp Presta HuiZhong plant in Shanghai. 02 ThyssenKrupp best | Team members celebrate the
successful completion of the project. Photos: ThyssenKrupp Presta HuiZhong
ThyssenKrupp inside
06 | 04
Automotive
Inside06I04_Auto_EN_07122004
08
15.12.2004
12:04 Uhr
Seite 08
| TRADE FAIRS
SUPPLIER TRADE FAIR
38,000 visitors came to “izb”
in Wolfsburg
Wolfsburg AG’s International Supplier Exchange (izb) closed its gates
with record visitor numbers: Around 38,000 visitors came from
Germany and abroad to find out about the products and services
of the 509 exhibiting automotive supplier companies – including
ThyssenKrupp Automotive – over the three days of the trade fair
at the Allerpark in Wolfsburg.
Visit from the Chief Executive | Uwe Dux (right), Volkswagen key account
manager at Nothelfer, explains the full-service supplier’s chassis technology
range to Dr. Bernd Pitschetsrieder and Dr. Wolfram Mörsdorf.
Photo: Thomas Jungbluth
The ThyssenKrupp Automotive employees used izb
as a market place to make important contacts with Volkswagen
Even the Volkswagen Executive Board took the opportunity
representatives, national and international suppliers and other
to visit ThyssenKrupp Automotive. VW Chief Executive Dr. Bernd
automotive groups. The trade fair booth in hall 4 quickly became a
Pitschetsrieder, Franzisco J. Garcia Sanz, responsible for procu-
communication platform. Representatives of various ThyssenKrupp
rement, and other VW directors were particularly interested in
Automotive companies explained new products and production
the products and services of Nothelfer GmbH, which has been
processes to their contacts in numerous discussions, laying the
part of the Automotive segment since October 2004.
foundations for future joint projects.
Thomas Jungbluth
BILSTEIN AT THE ESSEN MOTOR SHOW
The brand for all road conditions
The Essen Motor Show 2004 – the “World Trade Fair for Tuning, Motor
Sport and Classics” – presented over 50 world and German premiers
and a wide range of sporty models to the numerous visitors. Tuning and
motor sport? It goes without saying that ThyssenKrupp Bilstein was also
there with many product highlights.
01
The busy Bilstein trade fair booth in hall 3 was the place
to be for those wanting to see the world’s fastest BMW 1 series
or the world premiere of the new lightweight Caterham CSR
Winner | Marc Basseng (right), twice winner of the Nürburgring long-distance
cup, outlined the performance of the Bilstein Porsche GT3 to the motor sport
fans visiting the trade fair. Photo: Thomas Jungbluth
(from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.2 seconds). The Nürburgring longdistance cup winner, the Bilstein-Porsche GT3 RSR, was also
the new Porsche 911, the BMW 1 series and the new Mercedes
there to be admired.
SLK.
In addition to the racy sports cars, new optimized suspen-
“We want to appeal both to young people tuning their first
sions were also highly popular with auto fans. The range extended
cars and to the committed motor sport fans with our high-end
from the “Bilstein B10 Power Kit” entry-level model, via the
products”, explains Ralf Galow, head of Marketing Service.
“Bilstein sport-tronic®” – an electronic lowering for the S, E and
“ThyssenKrupp Bilstein has the right solution for every require-
C class Mercedes-Benz models with air suspension, to the
ment. The most important thing is that Bilstein’s motor sport
02
“Bilstein B16 PSS9” high-end coil-over suspension systems for
expertise also benefits sporty drivers and young auto fans.”
Thomas Jungbluth
ThyssenKrupp inside
06 | 04
Automotive