Aisin Group Announces State of the Company, Technology Review at 2008 SAE World Congress2007 was a 'good year,' says company president
PLYMOUTH, Mich., April 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Aisin World Corp. of America (AWA), a worldwide supplier of automotive components, announced today its 2007 global and North American sales figures, updated facility information, and provided a review of technology on display at the 2008 SAE World Congress. "By paying attention to what really matters -- the customer -- and by keeping our house in order, we find ourselves in a stable position as we face the challenges of 2008," said Don Whitsitt, president, AWA. "We showed modest growth and held our own in 2007, despite difficult economic conditions." Sales, Employment Growth Globally in 2007, Aisin recorded a total sales performance of just over $20 billion, representing an 11.6 percent increase over 2006. In North America in 2007, Aisin Group recorded a total sales performance of an estimated $3.7 billion, an increase of approximately 7.6 percent over 2006. Employment grew globally by 11.4 percent from 59,500 to just over 66,000. In North America, employment grew by approximately 9 percent to 9,789 associates. New and Expanded Facilities In 2007 and early 2008 the establishment or expansion of several facilities, and merger agreements in global regions outside the United States took place, including:
-- Aisin AI Co., Ltd.
-- Completed its Kira Plant in 2007, the second manufacturing base for
manual transmissions. The plant will produce FWD manual
transmissions
-- AT Kyushu Co., Ltd.
-- Established by Aisin Takaoka in 2007 to produce iron castings.
-- Aisin Kyushu Casting Co., Ltd.
-- Established by Aisin Seiki for the manufacture of aluminum die cast
products such as timing chain cases, oil pans, cylinder head covers,
and resin type intake manifolds.
-- ADVICS Co., Ltd.
-- Established branch office in Belgium
-- Merger of Chinese manufacturing operations with Tianjin Aisin
-- Automobile Parts (also a brake component manufacturer), scheduled
for 2008
-- Purchase of 80 percent of stock in Sumiden Brake S & E from Sumitomo
Electric Industries
In North America, Aisin established several companies or expansions, with dedications taking place recently:
-- Aisin Manufacturing California, Inc., Stockton, California
-- New plant dedicated March 2008; manufactures door frames.
-- Aisin Canada, Inc., Stratford, Ontario, Canada
-- Second Aisin Canadian plant; dedicated March 2008; manufactures door
frames (first plant is located in Woodstock, Ontario)
-- AHA Human Resource Development Center, Seymour, Indiana
-- New 15,500 square foot facility; dedicated by Aisin Holdings of
America March 2008 for training and education of Aisin associates.
-- Aisin Automotive Casting Tennessee, Inc., Clinton, Tenn.
-- Expanded by 250,000 square feet in 2007; produces aluminum die cast
parts.
Aisin Group at SAE World Congress Aisin will also feature a variety of technologies from Aisin Group companies at the SAE World Congress. A number of technologies coincide with technical presentations being made by Aisin representatives. The technologies represented at World Congress give indication of the wide diversification of product that Aisin has developed. Serving literally every major auto manufacturer worldwide, Aisin's product offering has grown well beyond drivetrain components to include advanced technologies such as intelligent head restraints and navigation systems, to body components and roof systems. This diversification has provided growth opportunities through Aisin's ability to meet the wide variety of technology needs of its global customer base.
Technologies featured at the Aisin Group exhibit include:
-- 3-Stage Variable Discharge Oil Pump
Designed to improve fuel efficiency by reducing pump drive power
through varying the pump discharge.
-- 4WD Hybrid Transmission
In addition to its fuel efficiency capabilities, the 4WD Hybrid
Transmission provides extreme quietness suitable for the most luxurious
vehicles.
-- Medium Torque Capacity FWD 6-speed Automatic Transmission
World's first light-weight, compact, high-performance 6-speed automatic
transmission improves fuel efficiency and acceleration performance
compared to a conventional FWD 5-speed transmission. In use globally on
such vehicles as the VW Golf, Passat, and New Beetle, and on several
iterations of BMW's Mini-Cooper. It is also in use by Skoda, Audi, and
Seat.
-- High Torque Capacity RWD 6-speed Automatic Transmission
Light weight, compact transmission designed for use in large SUVs
provides improved fuel efficiency and vehicle performance through
optimization of gear ratios.
-- High Torque Capacity RWD 8-speed Automatic Transmission
The 8-speed provides excellent acceleration, low noise levels and
superior shift performance.
-- ESC Modulator
The "ADS-V2G" ESC modulator incorporates unique gear pumps to control
brake functions such as anti-lock brake systems, traction control
systems and electronic stability control. The modulator also supports
various extended functions such as radar cruise control and pre-crash
safety systems.
-- Crawl Control
ADVICS integrated several braking force functions to develop its Crawl
Control to assist low-speed, off-road driving, providing good off-road
performance and easing the burden on the driver. Crawl Control also
assists in pulling vehicles out in the event they get stuck. The robust
system also reduces load application on the drive shaft and
differential gears.
-- Electric Water Pump for Cooling Inverter
The electric water pump circulates coolant water around the engine or
inverter of a hybrid vehicle. The use of electric motor controls the
water supply so that a specific amount of water can be provided as
needed, reducing fuel consumption.
-- Electric Oil Pump for Cooling Motor
Designed for use on hybrid or economically-running vehicles, the
electric oil pumps circulate lubricating oil or coolant oil to the
engine and transmission when the engine is stopped.
-- High Torque Capacity Transfer Case for RWD Vehicles
This class-leading transfer case in a light weight, compact design is
used in combination with a high torque capacity transmission for rear
wheel drive applications, and can be used to distribute torque to front
and rear wheels in a 4WD configuration.
-- DVD Voice Navigation System
Designed for navigations and in-vehicle entertainment in luxury
vehicles, the system features a high resolution 8-inch VGA display, and
it features a complete North American database including Alaska and
Puerto Rico with 10,000 points of interest. The system is compatible
with XM Traffic.
-- Driver Monitoring System
Prevents accidents due to inattentive driving; it actually warns the
driver through audible alerts when his face direction is turned away
from the road for longer than a predetermined period of time.
-- Pre-Crash Intelligent Head Restraint
This technology lessens whiplash injury by reducing shock to the neck.
It quickly moves the front part of the head restraint forward when the
system determines that a crash is unavoidable, thereby shortening the
distance between the head and the head restraint.
-- Rear Seat Relaxation System
This rear seat relaxation system provides a comfortable travel space by
combining and controlling four adjuster systems for sliding, reclining,
a mid-folding system and ottoman and leg rest control and an ECU for
overall adjuster control.
Aisin Group Quality Aisin Group companies continue to surpass industry and customer quality standards. Within the last year, many Aisin Group companies have been recognized for quality achievements, including, but not limited to:
-- Aisin World Corp. of America and Aisin Electronics were presented with
the "Superior Award for Top Suppliers" for 2006 by Toyota Motor
Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
-- Aisin AW was presented with a technology and development award for its
4WD Hybrid Transmission HR-10F for high luxury passenger vehicles
(Lexus LS 600h and Lexus LS 600hL) by Toyota Motor Corporation. This is
the seventh consecutive year that Aisin AW has received the award.
-- Aisin World Corp. of America was presented with the General Motors
Corporation "2006 Supplier of the Year Award" for overall business
performance in providing GM with world-class parts and services.
Aisin in the Community Aisin also continues to express its commitment to community through its involvement in a variety of charitable and human service organizations, such at the American Heart Association; American Cancer Society; Boys and Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan; Boy Scouts of America; Detroit Auto Dealers Association Charity Preview; Purple Rose Theatre Company; Think Detroit PAL (formerly Detroit Police Athletic League); University of Michigan Solar Car Team; and South Bay YMCA, Torrance, Calif. Aisin representatives are board members of numerous charity and industry organizations, including the Automotive Hall of Fame, Original Equipment Suppliers Association, SAE Foundation and the Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation, a non-profit human services organization committed to developing the strengths and skills of the underserved community, predominately of Southwest Detroit, by providing quality programming and services for youth and adults. About Aisin World Corp. of America Based in Plymouth, Mich., AWA is a subsidiary of the Aisin Group, headed by Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd. with corporate offices in Kariya City, Aichi, Japan. The Aisin Group is a worldwide supplier of automotive components, such as brakes, transmissions, drive train, chassis, body and information-related systems and components, and engine-related parts. In North America, the Aisin Group has 28 manufacturing, R & D and sales centers, and approximately 10,000 employees.
Contacts: Rohatynski-Harlow Public Relations
Joe Rohatynski 313.378.6570
Joe@JoePR.com or
Marc Harlow 810.599.2558
Marc@HarlowPR.com
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