AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – March 7, 2017 – Nexteer Automotive, a global leader in intuitive motion control, earned Frost & Sullivan’s Manufacturing Leadership Award as a leader in manufacturing excellence. The company was awarded for “Enterprise Technology Leadership” for its global implementation of advanced manufacturing and analysis technologies to streamline and interconnect product warehousing, traceability and quality management. The initiative has resulted in significant cost savings, efficiency gains and customer responsiveness.
“This honor is a reflection of our team’s work in creating a ‘Digital Thread’ of technologies throughout our global manufacturing environment,” said Dennis Hoeg, vice president of global operations, manufacturing engineering and capital enterprise systems, Nexteer Automotive. “These tools are critical to connecting parts of the business digitally to reduce lead time and operating costs while improving efficiency.”
Since 2009, Nexteer has been developing an interconnected “Digital Thread” of manufacturing technologies to optimize its operations. The company has expanded pilot programs for several technologies to a global scale, resulting in consistent data elements and a common architecture for its operational systems. Today, the company is using these technologies to plan upcoming production needs, track products throughout the manufacturing cycle, coordinate warehousing, gather and analyze data from the production lines and ensure final product quality.
“This is only phase one of integrating several of our advanced technologies into a system that’s easy-to-use and offers one seamless flow of data, processes and insight. As we implement future phases and add additional technologies, we expect the benefits to grow even more,” said Hoeg. “These technologies have improved our responsiveness and the overall quality of our product to our customers, which is priceless.”
Nexteer is currently the number one steering supplier in North America and number three global supplier of steering systems and halfshafts, serving more than 50 global customers.
“Winners of the 2017 ML Awards have proven vision and innovation are alive and well in the manufacturing industry,” said David R. Brousell, global vice president and editorial director and co-founder of the manufacturing leadership council. “By embracing the technology-driven transformation that we call Manufacturing 4.0, innovating new business models, and leveraging engaged workforces, these leaders are laying the groundwork for a new era of greater productivity in manufacturing.”
ABOUT NEXTEER
Nexteer Automotive – A Leader in Intuitive Motion Control – is a multi-billion dollar global steering and driveline business delivering electric and hydraulic power steering systems, steering columns, driveline systems as well as advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and automated driving technologies for original equipment manufacturers. The company’s global workforce of over 13,000 serves more than 50 customers in every major region of the world. The company has 24 manufacturing plants, five regional engineering centers and 11 customer service centers strategically located in North and South America, Europe and Asia. Nexteer Automotive’s customers include BMW, Fiat Chrysler, Ford, GM, PSA Group, Toyota and VW, as well as automakers in India and China. nexteer.com
ABOUT MANUFACTURING LEADERSHIP AWARDS
The Manufacturing Leadership Awards, now in their 13th year, honor manufacturing companies and individual manufacturing leaders that are shaping the future of global manufacturing. Winning projects and individual manufacturing leaders have demonstrated achievement in one of a wide range of categories, and are chosen by a panel of expert judges for results that have delivered clear and compelling value, return on investment, and other tangible outcomes. There will be several winners in each category, including one High Achiever’s Award in each category, as well as a 2017 Manufacturer of the Year for both small and large enterprises. Also unveiled at the Gala will be the ML Awards Manufacturing Leader of the Year and Lifetime Achievement Award winners.
The theme for the 13th Annual Manufacturing Leadership Summit is “Manufacturing 4.0 in Action.” The event enables senior-level executives in all aspects of manufacturing an opportunity to network with and learn from the best minds in the industry. For more information on the Manufacturing Leadership Awards or the Manufacturing Leadership Summit, please go to www.mlsummit.com.
