Lear Corporation (NYSE:LEA) today announced plans to enhance its engineering capabilities in Europe through the creation of three new advanced technology centers in the region. The plan is part of a broader strategy by Lear to establish “centers of expertise,” focused on developing products that meet the wants and needs of automotive consumers around the world.
The new European centers, representing an investment of approximately $15 million, will consolidate Lear’s engineering competencies in the areas of seating, electronics and electrical systems. Lear engineers will place a strong emphasis on Intertronics(TM) – Lear’s unique ability to integrate electronics into vehicle interior systems.
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In addition to generating new vehicle interior concepts, the three centers will support Lear’s European manufacturing facilities. By year’s end, Lear will have invested approximately $70 million to open production facilities in Belgium, France, Germany, Slovakia, Spain and the United Kingdom to support new business in Europe.
“With more than 80 locations and 36,000 employees throughout the region, Lear currently supplies every major vehicle manufacturer in Europe, the world’s second-largest automotive market,” said Kenneth L. Way, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Lear Corporation. “Our vision is to be the full- service interior systems integrator of choice to our automotive customers in Europe and throughout the world, by fully developing our electronics and electrical systems capabilities within the vehicle.”
In May, Lear unveiled the Lear Electronics and Electrical Division (LEED) Product Development Center and Intertronics Innovation Center, which represented a $13 million investment in renovations and enhancements to LEED’s 78,000-square-foot technical facilities in Dearborn, Mich.
“By concentrating our engineering expertise in three locations in Europe, we will be able to utilize the collective of skills of our divisions in the region to provide customized, flexible, and intelligent interior system design,” Way continued. “These new centers will make it possible to accurately tailor the design needs of each of our customers.”
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By GlobalDataAn all-new engineering facility solely dedicated to Intertronics will be built in Valls, Spain. The center will focus on the development of interior systems with integrated electronic subsystems and the design of new Intertronics concepts for European auto makers. Lear engineers in Europe will use electronic technology transfer to exchange ideas with the LEED Product Development and Intertronics Innovation Center in Dearborn.
Scheduled to open in 2002, the 40,000-square-foot facility is expected to employ 350 people. The center will be located adjacent to Lear’s existing European Technology Center that focuses on the development of smart junction boxes and advanced electrical distribution systems.
Intertronics programs currently being demonstrated in Europe include OASys(TM) – Lear’s innovative overhead audio system; a complete cockpit module; and Lear’s Cabin Communications System, an advanced integrated overhead microphone system that makes voice communication between occupants easier.
Lear’s Intertronics capability in Europe is already bearing fruit with the first contract win in Europe earlier this year for a removable, rear-seat entertainment and convenience system that will go into production in the near future.
“This first European Intertronics contract win is a testimony to Lear’s leadership as an interior integrator and highlights the confidence our customers have in our systems capabilities,” said Randall Carron, Lear President – International Operations. “This is good news for our European operations and we are currently demonstrating Intertronics concepts to a number of customers.”
Lear also plans to establish a communications electronics center next year near Kronach, Germany. The center will focus on creating electronic multimedia products, telematics and safety systems for the premium car segment, to meet projections for tremendous growth in this product area.
Lear will also establish a seating center in Europe. Lear experts on every possible variation in the design, material selection, and electronics integration of a seat, will focus on creating innovative seat concepts that exceed expectations. The center will be strategically placed to best serve Lear’s existing seat design centers.
“These three European centers will not only develop new Intertronics, electrical and seating concepts, but will also serve as a gathering place for the many European customers and universities with whom we have joint- development relationships,” Carron said.
Lear Corporation, a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Southfield, Mich., USA, focuses on automotive interiors and electronics, and is the world’s fifth-largest automotive supplier. Sales in 1999 were $12.4 billion. The company’s world-class products are designed, engineered and manufactured by more than 120,000 employees in over 300 facilities located in 33 countries. Information about Lear and its products is available on the Internet at www.lear.com
