Short Partner Description

BMW Motoren GmbH
Associated staff: Dr. Prenninger
BMW Motoren GmbH (BMW) situated in Steyr, Austria is a 100% subsidiary of BMW Group. BMW Motoren GmbH produces more than 60% of all BMW engines world wide. 100% of all Diesel engines for BMW are designed manufactured and assembled in Steyr. BMW Motoren also delivers Diesel engines to Ford and MG-Rover. BMW Motoren GmbH employs about 2500 people in manufacturing and about 400 in product and process development. Main goal for BMW Motoren GmbH in participating in the ILIPT project is to strengthen its position as engine supplier by optimizing the material sourcing strategy/supply chain and logistic operations. The logistic process of BMW Motoren is currently run under the KOVP/build-to-order scheme of the BMW group. Due to this process BMW Motoren currently gets a stable order sequence of 4 days from the vehicle plants.

Ceramicx Ireland Ltd
Associate staff : J.White & M.O’Brien
SME located in south west Ireland. Developer and manufacturer of infrared heaters and heating systems for industry.  Major supplier of infrared heating systems to the automotive and plastics industry. Applications engineering capability to provide development and design in the use of infrared technology

Dana
Associated staff: S. Walia
Dana Corporation is a global leader in the design, engineering, and manufacture of value-added products and systems for the global vehicular industry and its related aftermarkets. The company employs approximately 45,000 people worldwide. With corporate headquarters in Toledo (Ohio) United States, Dana operates nearly 250 facilities in 30 countries. The company reported 2003 sales of $7.9 billion from continuing operations.

EBP
Associated staff: H. Winkler, F. Gehr
EBP GmbH is a consulting company that develops and implements process solutions and ICT-System for intra- and inter-company networks. EBP accomplished numerous projects in the automotive industry. Its focus lies on supply chain planning and supply chain management in complex logistic networks. In ILIPT EBP will contribute in Theme 3 "IntePro" in the subproject "DigEval" as a Sub-module co-coordinator and research partner with experience in logistic network management, BTO, and enabling IT. EBP successfully participated already in network projects like eg. "LiNet".

Eftec AG
EFTEC, a division of the Swiss based EMS Group, is a worldwide leading expert for the transportation industry in the field of engineered materials and application systems for bonding, coating, sealing. EFTEC supplies the Automotive Manufactureres with adhesives for use at every stage of production, from body shop to assembly. OEM’s use EFTEC coatings to protect the underbody from chip damage, to damp vibrations of metal sheets and to protect cavities from corrosion. Seams and butt joints in the complex structure of a vehicle are sealed with EFTEC products against the intrusion of moisture, dirt and noise. EFTEC is suppliying the OEM’s as well as the repair market and has production facilities in all geographical regions with car production.

University of Lueneburg
Associated staff: Prof. Schleich, E. Lindemann
Fachhochschule Nordostniedersachsen (University of Applied Sciences), Lüneburg Germany covers various study programmes and research areas. The participating Department of Automation Technology focuses on education and research in industrial automation technology, production technology, manufacturing management and logistics . Within ILIPT the University of Lueneburg contributes to two subprojects, i.e NetDesign and DigEval taking all aspects of product complexity and complexity management into the BTO Reference model. University of Lueneburg will participate in the survey, establish a complexity cost model and contribute to the validation and verification of the concept.


4FLOW
Associated staff: Dr. Stefan Wolff, Thomas Seidel
The 4flow AG offers software and consulting for Logistics and Supply Chain Management. The software product 4flow vista has been developed as a standard software for supply chain design. 4flow vista is currently installed at several large and medium sized Automotive OEMs and suppliers. More than 80% of 4flow’s revenues are from the automotive industry. 4flow contributes to this project through the development of a software prototype for dynamic, inter-enterprise network design and evaluation and the preliminary analysis and conceptual activities within NetDesign.


Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft

Fraunhofer Gesellschaft is the leading organisation for applied research in Europe consisting of 58 institutes undertaking contract research on behalf of industry, the service sector and the government. Commissioned by customers in industry, it provides rapid, economical and immediately applicable solutions to technical and organisational problems. Within the European 5 Day Car Initiative the following three institutes are actively involved in developing innovative solution for together with their academic and industrial partners:

• Fraunhofer Institut für Materialfluss und Logistik (IML) participates in Theme II (FlexNet) and Theme III (IntePro)
• Fraunhofer Institut für Produktionstechnik und Automatisierung (IPA) is involved in Theme II (FlexNet) and Theme III (IntePro). IPA is also in charge of Theme II.
  
• Fraunhofer-Institut für Arbeitswirtschaft und Organisation (IAO), Stuttgart, participates in Theme I (ModCar)

Freeglass
Associate staff : R.Benyahia
European JV from Saint-Gobain Sekurit (car glazing) and Schefenacker (exterior mirrors & automotive lighting systems). Founded in 2001 , independently focused on the development, production and commercialisation of plastic glazing for the automotive industry. ; based in Schwaikheim, Germany (near Stuttgart). Aims : new prospect for the automobile manufacturers & innovative technologies for glazing field ; designing new shapes, perfectly adapted to each vehicle’s concept, allowing three dimensional forms, weight reduction, quick production, many function integration and complying to glass specifications.

Lear Corporation
Lear Corporation, a Fortune 500 company headquartered in Southfield, Mich., USA, focuses on integrating complete automotive interiors, including seat systems, interior trim and electrical systems. With annual net sales of $15.75 billion in 2003, Lear is the world's largest automotive interior systems supplier. The company's world-class products are designed, engineered and manufactured by more than 110,000 employees. At year end, Lear had 289 facilities located in 34 countries.


MAN Ferrostaal
Associated staff: Dr. Becker
MAN Ferrostaal Industrie- und System-Logistik GmbH (FIS) is a 100 % subsidiary of MAN Ferrostaal AG, a member of the MAN AG Group. Since more than 20 years FIS is one of the leading and independent logistics and value added service providers for the European automotive industry. With 12 facilities right next to the automobile manufacturers’ plants FIS offers services along the supply chain for the customers.


PLATOS
Associated staff: Dr. Witte
PLATOS GmbH is an internationally operating engineering company and consultancy with more than 20 years of experience in strategic engineering business. The core competences of PLATOS are the development of new production concepts and logistic systems to cope with the demands of the future and for activating the potential of new product- and production technologies. PLATOS work is primarily targeting to high cost effectiveness and also high responsiveness of the manufacturing and logistic processes. Reaching these targets especially for auto modules can be regarded as special expertise of PLATOS.

PUC
Associated staff: Dr. Scavarda, Dr. Hamacher
The Industrial Engineering Department of PUC-Rio is taking part in Theme III "Integration of Complex Product Processes" - IntePro. Its role regards the analysis/association of the "five day car" concept to the Latin American industry and market. Many European Vehicle Manufacturers and suppliers have branches in this region that can take advantage of such an analysis. The logistic group of the Industrial Engineering Department has conducted two specific analytical projects in the ILIPT field of work. The first project concerned the automotive industry in the Mercosur Region (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay). The second project is still being conducted and concerns the supply chain management processes of the automotive industry in Brazil. Both projects have had financial support of the Brazilian National Council for Sciences and Technology, CNPq, which is a foundation linked to the Ministry of Science and Technology (MCT).

Saint-Gobain Sekurit
Associate staff : J.L. Bravet & C.Padoy
Saint-Gobain Sekurit (SGS) is part of Saint-Gobain Group, in charge of Automotive Glass manufacturing. SGS delivers OEM, Transportation (heavy vehicles, buses, aeronautics…) , and aftermarket SGS has created new solutions which provide the final users with : optimal vision ; better comfort ; increased level of safety and security. SGS represents 44% of European market (and 20% worldwide market). SGS is represented in ILIPT by it’s French R&D Center : SGGF.CDI

Siemens AG
Associated staff: Dr. Berger
The Corporate Technology (CT) department with more than 1,800 employees worldwide plays a special role in the area of research and development inside Siemens. CT works as a network of competencies and partner for innovation and works very closely with business departments. With its six technology departments ("Materials &Manufacturing ","Production Processes ","Energy ","Microsystems ","Information &Communications "and "Software &Engineering"), CT contributes to the future of Siemens and increases the competitiveness of the company. The technology departments are concentrating on 40 core technologies with strategic importance for the company. Within the project, CT will draw upon knowledge, skills and resources from selected Siemens business units wherever this is necessary and appropriate. In particular, there will be collaboration with SiemensVDO (Automotive), Siemens Information and Communication Networks (ICN), and Siemens Information and Communication Mobile (ICM).


Siemens VDO
Siemens VDO Automotive is an internationally leading automotive supplier of electronics, electrical systems and mechatronics. As a developmental partner with the automobile industry, the company manufactures a comprehensive spectrum of products relating to the drivetrain, engine management electronics and fuel injection that simultaneously improve engine performance and reduce emissions. Driver comfort is enhanced and driving is made easier with information and car communication systems that include instrumentation, audio and navigation equipment, telematics and multimedia applications, up to entire cockpit designs. Safety is increased by Siemens VDO products for the chassis and body such as airbags, ABS or access control systems. An in-house sales department markets products for retrofitting passenger cars and trucks with a focus on fleet management and audio and navigation systems. In the 2003 business year (30.9.), Siemens VDO Automotive generated sales of EUR 8.4 billion.


SPIIRAS
Associated staff: Prof. A. Smirnov, N. Chilov
The St. Petersburg Institute for Informatics and Automation of the Russian Academy of Science (SPIIRAS) was founded in 1978 as a research institute focusing on information technologies for research, production and education. It is a government non-profit organisation with highly qualified personnel. It has participated in numerous European programmes including INTAS, ESPRIT and projects of FP5 & FP6


ThyssenKrupp Automotive
Associated staff: R.Esser, A. Breidenbach, A. Untiedt
ThyssenKrupp Automotive ranks among the world's major automotive suppliers, with around 130 production sites in 17 countries manufacturing tailor-made components, modules and systems for the body, chassis and powertrain areas in all key markets. ThyssenKrupp Automotive is world market leader in body parts, engine components such as crankshafts and assembled camshafts, as well as electronic, electrical or mechanical steering columns and steering systems. The company also leads the way in air spring and suspension systems, axles and complete chassis.

TRW Automotive GmbH
TRW provides the world's automakers with engine valves - something it has been doing for more than 90 years - and valve train systems. With affiliates, TRW produces more than 300 million engine valves annually and is a leader in the manufacture of smaller-stem-diameter valves used in multi-valve engines. TRW's engine components business operates 21 plants in 12 countries. The company has a strong presence in North and South America and Europe and is making inroads into the Asia Pacific region. In addition, it is expanding in the fast-growing areas of Thailand and South Korea and aggressively moving into other markets, such as China.

University of Bath
Associated staff: J. Miemczyk, Dr. M. Howard, Prof. A. Graves
The University is one of the leading research institutions in the UK. Its research centres operate across all departments and faculties. An original member of the 3DayCar Programme Bath has continued this automotive research through the Innovative Manufacturing Research Centre. The researchers at Bath are Theme Leaders and proposal authors having been involved from the outset in building the concept of the 5daycar initiative in 2001. They also have a significant workpackage contribution spanning across several themes. Specialist areas include current state analysis tools, information systems management, social and environmental implications, build-to-order and the extended supply chain, and vehicle painting strategies.


University of Cambridge
Associated staff: Dr. M. Holweg
The University of Cambridge has a longstanding history in automotive research, in particular through the School of Engineering, the Judge Institute of Management, and the Institute for Manufacturing (IfM), which is also providing a Master’s programme for the Automotive Academy, recently launched by the UK’s Department of Trade and Industry. Furthermore, the University of Cambridge will be an interface to the international research community and other related research programmes, such as the MIT International Motor Vehicle Program for example.

University of Patras Laboratory for Manufacturing Systems and Automation 
Director: Professor George Chryssolouris
The Laboratory for Manufacturing Systems & Automation (LMS) is oriented on research and development in cutting edge scientific and technological fields. LMS is involved in a number of research projects funded by the CEU and European industrial partners. Particular emphasis is given to the co-operation with the European industry as well as with a number of "hi-tech" firms. LMS is under the direction and technical coordination of Professor George Chryssolouris. It currently employs approximately 70 researchers organized in three different groups: Innovative Manufacturing Processes, Advanced Human-Centered Design Techniques, including Virtual Reality, and Production Systems Planning, Control and Networking.

VDI/VDE-IT
VDI/VDE-IT is a non-profit organisation set-up by two of the largest European professional associations for Engineers (VDI - German Association of Engineers and VDE - German As-sociation for Electrical, Electronic & Information Technologies). The company’s primary objective is to promote R&D in the area information technologies, to assist governmental authorities in developing initiatives for accelerating technological development and to speed up product and process innovation in SMEs.