STOCKHOLM, Sweden, March 11, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Autoliv Inc. (NYSE:ALV), the worldwide leader in automotive safety, today announced that two of its Utah facilities have received the 2003 Shingo Prize for Excellence in Manufacturing. The Ogden Airbag Module Facility and the Airbag Inflator Facilities group are among an elite list of manufacturers this year to earn what Business Week has called "...the Nobel prize of manufacturing."
The Shingo Prize is awarded annually to select companies that have demonstrated outstanding achievements in manufacturing processes, quality enhancements, productivity improvement, and customer satisfaction. The prize focuses on lean manufacturing techniques and promotes world-class business performance through continuous improvements in core manufacturing and business processes.
"Our employees have worked tirelessly to implement lean manufacturing principles into all areas of our business," said Lars Westerberg, President and CEO. "Having two of our sites honored with this elite prize is further evidence of our commitment to continuously set new standards in world-class manufacturing."
The Airbag Module Facility produces driver-side, passenger-side, side-impact, knee, and side-curtain airbags for its customers in the North American and Asian markets. Under the guidelines of the Autoliv Production System, the facility has reduced cycle times by more than 50%, boosted labor productivity by more than 50%, increased inventory turns by 80% and reduced lead times by more than 55%. During this same time, the Airbag Module Facility has garnered many customer awards for quality, delivery and environmental excellence.
The Airbag Inflator Facilities group is comprised of the Ogden Inflator Facility, the Brigham City Inflator Facility and the Administration and Engineering Facility. These facilities design, support and produce over 30 million driver, passenger, and side-impact inflation products each year. Dedicated efforts to apply lean manufacturing principles have resulted in a 52% reduction in scrap costs, 32% reduction in parts per million, and productivity improvement of 36%. Its successful implementation of continuous improvement techniques yielded over 12,000 improvement suggestions last year alone.
Inquiries:
Airbag Module Facility - Lisa Frary, Plant Manager, Tel. +1 (801) 629-9620
Airbag Inflator Facilities - Mark Jenkins, Plant Manager, Tel. +1 (435) 734-7006
Lars Westerberg, President & CEO, Autoliv Inc. Tel. +46 (8) 587 20 600
Autoliv Inc. develops and manufactures automotive safety systems for all major automotive manufacturers in the world. Together with its joint ventures Autoliv has 80 facilities with over 30,000 employees in 30 vehicle-producing countries. In addition, the company has nine technical centers around the world, including 20 test tracks, more than any other automotive safety supplier. Sales in 2002 amounted to US $4.4 billion. The Company's shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE:ALV) and its Swedish Depository Receipts on the OM Stockholm Stock Exchange (SSE:ALIV)
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