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Volkswagen Group of America Selects Suppliers for New Volkswagen Vehicle
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HERNDON, VA- December 9, 2008 / -- DiversityBusiness.com /- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. announced today that the Dräxlmaier Group and EMCON Technologies have been selected to produce the wireharness and cold end exhaust system, respectively, for Volkswagen's new midsized sedan (NMS). Saturn Electronics and Engineering, Inc., a certified Minority Business Enterprise, will develop and build a solid state electronics module for the NMS.
"Dräxlmaier's expertise makes them an excellent choice to supply the heart of the NMS's electrical system," said Frank Fischer, CEO-designate for Volkswagen's Chattanooga production facility. "EMCON Technologies has a long history of delivering quality exhaust products to Volkswagen production facilities abroad and we are looking forward to bringing that environmentally-friendly technology to our new Tennessee plant."
"Saturn presented us with exactly what we were looking for: an innovative and cost-effective module that is tailored to our U.S. consumer market. As a certified minority owned business, we are pleased to have Saturn as a partner in the production of the vehicle," Fischer added.
Volkswagen is in the early stages of procurement and will continue to expand its local and national supplier base in the coming months. The company has announced that ten percent of the suppliers for the production facility will be minority and women-owned businesses by start of production and that five percent of suppliers for the vehicle will be minority and women-owned by start of production, with the goal of 10 percent by 2015. Volkswagen is partnering with local, state and federal organizations to help achieve that goal.
"We are very excited about this opportunity to be part of Volkswagen's expansion in the United States," said Thomas Reitberger, product manager at DFS Dräxlmaier Fahrzeugsysteme GmbH.
A supplier to Volkswagen AG since 1971, the Dräxlmaier Group is the automaker's first wiring harness supplier that has been awarded with both concept development and series production at the same time. The wireharness is an essential part of the vehicle that touches nearly every electronic component in the car. This vehicle-specific system will be developed to reflect the needs of North American drivers and will also include several cost saving features.
"We highly appreciate the trust of our longstanding partner VW into our competences and capabilities," Reitberger said. "We are looking forward to the launch of this project and working together with the engineering and production teams at Volkswagen of America."
EMCON Technologies will build the components of the exhaust system at their facility in Columbus, Ind. The part assembly will be performed in Spartanburg, S.C.
"As a major supplier of emission systems to the Volkswagen group worldwide, EMCON Technologies is proud to be named as the exhaust system supplier for the New Midsized Sedan, said Steve McClung, director, commercial & program development for EMCON Technologies. "We look forward to supporting them with our technology in their continuing emphasis on environmentally friendly vehicles."
"Saturn is pleased to be awarded this important electronic program which supports our continued growth in the electronics and mechatronic business," said Mr. Wally Tsuha, CEO of Saturn Electronics & Engineering, Inc. "We are happy to support Volkswagen in their expanded growth in the U.S. market and also appreciate their support of minority businesses in the US."
Saturn Electronics and Engineering, Inc. will develop an advanced solid state electronics module at their corporate headquarters in Auburn Hills, Michigan.
About Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, the world's third largest automaker and the largest carmaker in Europe. It houses the U.S. operations of a worldwide family of distinguished and exciting brands including Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini and Volkswagen, as well as VW Credit, Inc. Founded in 1955, the company's headquarters are in Herndon, Va.
Volkswagen Group of America brings to the U.S. vehicles that marry the science of engineering and the art of styling, with the goal of offering attractive, safe, and environmentally sound automobiles that are competitive and set world standards in their respective classes.
The company has approximately 2,500 employees in the United States and sells its vehicles through an 800-strong dealer network. With increasing popularity for its brands in the U.S., the company has set the goal of reaching one million car sales in the country by 2018.
About Dräxlmaier
As an experienced, globally present partner to the world's most renowned automobile manufacturers, the Germany-based Dräxlmaier Group has attained a leading role throughout the world. Each day, more than 38,000 employees around the globe work on the in-house development and manufacture of modern electrical systems and components, exclusive vehicle interiors and functionally integrated systems/modules. All the necessary competencies, from design, tool/prototype construction and series production, up to a smoothly operating logistics chain have been consistently built-up and further developed internally.
About EMCON Technologies
EMCON Technologies is a leader in the global emission technologies industry with revenue of $4 U.S. billion. The company serves worldwide light and commercial vehicle manufacturers. EMCON has operations in 19 countries, with 7,500 employees and several long-term joint venture relationships. EMCON is privately owned by One Equity Partners, an equity investment firm based in New York.
About Saturn Electronics & Engineering, Inc.
Saturn Electronics & Engineering, Inc. is a global supplier of innovative Electronics, Electrical and Electro/mechanical products for the automotive, telecommunication and appliance markets with plants in the US, Mexico and China.
Saturn started out in 1985 with six employees in a 5,700 square-foot facility. It has grown tremendously to become a major supplier with over 1,800 employees. The company's flexible manufacturing and focus on quality positions Saturn as a valuable supplier to a diversified marketplace.
For more information, visit www.saturnee.com or contact James Vu, Director of Sales at (248) 299-2743
About DiversityBusiness.com
Launched in 1999, DiversityBusiness, with over 50,000 members, is the largest organization of diversity owned businesses throughout the United States that provide goods and services to Fortune 1000 companies, government agencies, and colleges and universities. DiversityBusiness provides research and data collection services for diversity including the "Top 50 Organizations for Multicultural Business Opportunities", "Top 500 Diversity Owned Companies in America", and others. Its research has been recognized and published by Forbes Magazine, Business Week and thousands of other print and internet publications. The site has gained national recognition and has won numerous awards for its content and design. DiversityBusiness reaches more diverse suppliers and communicates more information to them on a more frequent basis then all other organizations combined. We also communicate with mainstream businesses, government agencies and educational institutions with information related to diversity. Our magazine reaches over 300,000 readers, a monthly e-newsletter that reaches 2.4 million, and website visitors of 1.2 million a month. It is a leading provider of Supplier Diversity management tools and has the most widely distributed Diversity magazine in the United States. DiversityBusiness.com is produced by Computer Consulting Associates International Inc. (CCAii.com) of Southport, CT. Founded in 1980.
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