Dana to break ground for new structural solutions facility
Dana Corporation announced today that it plans to break ground for a new 211,000-sq-ft Structural Solutions facility in Longview, TX. The facility will support the General Motors Assembly Plant in nearby Shreveport, LA.
The facility is slated to be completed by March of 2002 and will employ approximately 450 people.
Dana Chairman and CEO Joe Magliochetti said, "We are pleased to be expanding and strengthening one of our foundation businesses as we meet our customer's expectations with a state-of-the-art facility."
Featuring the latest quality and breakthrough design characteristics, the facility will include advanced equipment and tooling processes. Dana will initiate a "Total Quality System" within the Longview facility to achieve exemplary quality and continuous improvement.
Bruce Butcher, vice president of Dana's Structural Solutions Group, said, "Our approach to this facility is to utilize e-commerce to fully integrate the complete supply chain, thus improving capital efficiency and customer service. We will be 100 percent connected to our suppliers, allowing us to be more flexible in responding to customer needs. This approach will allow Dana to eliminate waste and redundancies, while reducing the time necessary to deliver a complete frame.
"This facility represents an innovative approach to supply-chain management and demonstrates our commitment to future programs and continued growth for Dana Corporation and its Structural Solutions Group," he added. "It is another example of Dana's commitment to continually improving our products, systems, and new technologies to provide added value for our customers."
The facility will be located on a 69-acre site in the Longview Business Park, which was developed by the Longview Economic Development Corporation. The location of the plant is in close proximity to several accredited technical training facilities, which will provide Dana with solid training resources and the opportunity to attract highly skilled employees.
These operations are part of Dana's Automotive Systems Group, a leading provider of under-the-vehicle integration technologies to automotive manufacturers worldwide. The group offers advanced driveline design solutions, complete integrated systems engineering, and logistics, drawing upon a combined expertise in the following products: Spicer® axles and driveshafts; GETRAG® transmissions, transaxles, PTUs and axles; structures and chassis systems; Nakata® steering and suspension systems; FTE® brake and clutch actuation systems; TTC and Tremec® transmissions; and all-wheel drive systems engineering from Drive-Tek™, a Dana/GKN joint venture.
Dana Corporation is one of the world's largest suppliers to vehicle manufacturers and their related aftermarkets. Founded in 1904 and based in Toledo, Ohio, the company operates some 300 major facilities in 35 countries and employs more than 75,000 people. The company reported sales of $12.3 billion in 2000. Dana's Internet address is www.dana.com.