LOCKPORT, N.Y., Mar 15, 2000 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Delphi
Automotive Systems (NYSE: DPH) continues to introduce new manufacturing
technology and products at its thermal management operation in Poland,
recently adding all-aluminum accumulator dehydrators (A/D) to its
growing production capability in Ostrow.
The plant, which employs approximately 800, began ramp-up operations
for A/D production late last year, and is expected to approach full
production in the third quarter of this year, according to Marshall
Andrews, director of European manufacturing operations at Delphi
Harrison Thermal Systems.
This marks the first time Delphi Thermal has manufactured A/Ds in
Europe.
"The plant's experience in metal joining and heat exchangers in general
allowed it to assume this new technology and support it effectively,"
Andrews said, adding that the team in Ostrow has worked closely with
Delphi Thermal colleagues in Juarez, Mexico, where large-scale A/D
production also recently began.
The plant, known as Zaklady Sprzetu Mechanicznego before Delphi
Harrison Thermal's 1996 purchase, had for years limited its automotive
component production to heat exchangers. Recently, however, it began
HVAC assembly operations. Delphi Thermal announced last year that the
plant is supplying complete systems (HVAC and engine cooling) to
support Daewoo Motor Polska's LD-100 truck platform, which goes into
production later this year.
The plant's A/D production, meanwhile, will support the division's HVAC
business on a European OEM car platform that will exceed a half-million
units when first-phase production begins full swing later this year.
"When we acquired the Ostrow operation four years ago, we knew it would
become a very strategic European site," said F. Timothy Richards,
Delphi Harrison Thermal director of European operations. "Our employees
there have shown a tremendous ability to learn and implement new
technology, and to work vigorously on continuous improvement."
Shortly after joining the Delphi Thermal family, the Ostrow plant began
manufacturing brazed aluminum heat exchangers, the first such
braze-based production by any automotive supplier in Poland.
That transition and those that followed proved to be true global
efforts, and Ostrow's A/D activity is certainly no exception.
"We are following the lean concepts that have been implemented in
Juarez, and are using their best practices and lessons learned in what
we're doing in Ostrow," said Janusz Wojtowicz, Ostrow plant manager.
"Following the processes established in Juarez has helped us develop
tooling and reduce costs. It's been a true sharing of technology."
Located at the evaporator outlet, an A/D is the last stop in the air
conditioning loop before the refrigerant returns to the air
conditioning compressor. Its purpose is to keep unevaporated liquid
refrigerant from reaching the compressor, utilizing a desiccant bag to
collect the moisture. John Telesz, Delphi Thermal chief engineer,
global HVAC modules and A/Ds, noted that Ostrow uses the latest in
computer-controlled welding technology to maintain a consistent,
high-quality weld. Additionally, the Ostrow operation uses impact
extruded top/upper shells, integrating the connectors in the upper
shell, a first for Delphi Thermal accumulator dehydrator production,
Telesz said.
Delphi Automotive Systems, headquartered in Troy, Mich., USA, is a
world leader in transportation and mobile electronics components and
systems technology. Delphi's three business sectors -- Dynamics &
Propulsion; Safety, Thermal & Electrical Architecture; and Electronics
& Mobile Communication -- provide comprehensive product solutions to
complex customer needs. Delphi has approximately 214,200 employees, and
operates 178 wholly owned manufacturing sites, 41 joint ventures, 53
customer centers and sales offices and 27 technical centers in 39
countries. Regional headquarters are located in Paris, Tokyo and Sao
Paulo, Brazil. Delphi can be found on the Internet at
delphiauto.com
SOURCE Delphi Automotive Systems
(C) 2000 PR Newswire. All rights reserved.
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CONTACT: Doug Hoy, Public Relations of Delphi Harrison Thermal Systems,
716-439-2594
/Company News On-Call:
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800-758-5804, ext. 076666
WEB PAGE: delphiauto.com
GEOGRAPHY: New York
Poland
INDUSTRY CODE: AUT |
