DETROIT — Eleven automotive suppliers have won 2005 Automotive News PACE Awards for innovation. Two automotive manufacturers were also honored with the first-ever Automotive News PACE Innovative OEM Collaborator Awards during the program.
The 11th annual awards program for innovation in the automotive supply chain was open to suppliers that contribute products, processes, materials or services directly to the manufacture of cars or trucks worldwide. The prestigious PACE (Premier Automotive Suppliers’ Contribution to Excellence) Award is presented by Automotive News, Capgemini and Transportation Research Center Inc. (TRC Inc.). Additional sponsors are the City of Sunderland and the Original Equipment Suppliers Association.
Selected from among 22 finalists, the 2005 PACE Award winners — by category — are:
Product – Innovations in new products or components or systems that have significant market impact and act as “game changers” in the automotive industry:
* DURA Automotive Systems, Inc., Body & Glass Division – RackLift
* Gentex Corp. – SmartBeam
* Illinois Tool Works, Inc. – Direct Fill System
* Multimatic, Inc. – I-Beam Control Arm
* Tenneco Automotive – Kinetic RFS Technology
* Valeo Switches and Detection Systems – Lane Departure Warning Systems
Product-Europe – As above, but for innovations that are developed and first commercialized in Europe:
* Advanced Automotive Antennas, S.L. – Fractal Antennas
* BorgWarner – DualTronic System
* Siemens VDO Automotive, Information Systems Passenger Cars – Head-Up Display
Manufacturing Process & Capital Equipment – Innovations involving game-changing processes (manufacturing or business) or innovative capital equipment that support the automotive supply chain or manufacturing processes:
* Siemens VDO Automotive, Powertrain Fuel Components – DEKA VII Electronic Gasoline Fuel Injector
Information Technology & Services – Innovations in the design and implementation of information systems solutions that enable companies to improve operational performance or for services and delivery of services:
* i2 Technologies, Inc. – i2 Optimal Scheduler
“Every winner that emerges from the rigorous Automotive News PACE Award review process is truly exceptional in the industry,” said Keith Crain, Automotive News publisher and editor-in-chief. “These eleven companies are clearly playing to win — today and in the challenging global market ahead.”
OEMs receiving Automotive News PACE Innovative OEM Collaborator Awards during last evening’s ceremonies were:
* Chrysler Group for its collaboration on the RackLift innovation with DURA Automotive Systems, Inc.; and
* Mercedes-Benz AG for its collaboration on the C4000 Entry/Exit Safety Light Curtain with SICK, Inc.
Innovative OEM Collaborator Award winners were selected from nominations by the 2005 Automotive News PACE Award finalists.
PACE Award winners were chosen following a thorough review of written submissions from each supplier and site visits by a panel of judges, drawn from among industry, academic and business leaders.
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