IndustryWeek Names Two Textron Automotive Facilities Among ‘10 Best Manufacturing Plants In North America'

TROY, Mich., and CLEVELAND, Ohio, Oct. 2, 2001 - Textron Automotive Company, a business segment of Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT), had two of its North American plants selected by IndustryWeek as winners in the manufacturing management magazine's 12th annual Best Plants competition. It is the first time in the competition's 12-year history that the 10-best list included two plants from the same company. Earning the honor were Textron Automotive's Port Huron Operations in Port Huron, Mich., and Textron Automotive Co. de Mexico SA de CV, in Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico, both of the company's Trim Division.

"We're very pleased to have two of our operations earn their place among the 10 best plants in North America," says Jack W. Sights, Chairman, President, and CEO of Textron Automotive. "This demonstrates our culture of innovation in everything we do, whether in our products, technology, processes or business practices. Our people live this culture every day. It's made them tremendously successful at adopting lean principles and persistent in finding unique solutions to problems. They are never satisfied with what they achieved yesterday, and this achievement clearly demonstrates that."

Port Huron Operations, managed by Vice President Operations Dianne Kokkinos, employs more than 300 people to produce automotive door panels. The Saltillo plant, led by Vice President Operations Maria Rico, employs about 250 people to produce automotive instrument panels and other interior trim. The plants were selected from more than 300 facilities nominated between October 2000 and March 2001. Both facilities will receive commemorative awards during October ceremonies to honor their dedication to world-class manufacturing and continuous improvement.

"That two of our plants made the list in one year is a testament to our incredibly dedicated employees who've worked hard to keep us moving forward on our 'lean' journey," said Bill Maclean, President, Textron Automotive Trim. "Although we're never satisfied with our performance, being selected as finalists shows that our people are transforming our operations into lean leaders."

All of the plants considered for this year's award reported performance metrics and practices in such categories as benchmarking, community involvement, customer and supplier relations, employee involvement, environment and safety programs, inventory management, manufacturing efficiency and flexibility, market results, productivity, quality, and use of technology. Significant among Port Huron's accomplishments were its 103 annual inventory turns, as well as heijunka and kanban activities that reduced Work in Process (WIP) by 50 percent. At Saltillo, Electronic Data Interchange enables the plant to communicate real-time with customers, suppliers and other Textron facilities. In addition, its health-care initiatives - including an on-site doctor - ensure all employees and their families receive good medical care.

"After twelve years you might think we've seen everything, but we continue to be inspired by the sheer competitiveness of this year's winning plants," says IndustryWeek Editor-in-Chief Patricia Panchak. "While the industries represented and management techniques are diverse, the winners share a simple expectation to be the best. These manufacturers define world-class performance and IW is proud to celebrate the winners' success and share their stories."

"People are the real key to the success of these manufacturing plants," says David Drickhamer, Director of IndustryWeek's Best Plants program. "Management has a clear vision of where they want to go, and a clear strategy for making that vision a reality. The people on the plant floor are focused, enthusiastic, and constantly learning and applying new ideas to do their jobs more efficiently. They're an inspiration to manufacturers everywhere."

The complete list of the 2001 winners and a profile of Textron Automotive's record two winning plants can be found at www.industryweek.com/iwinprint/bestplants.

IndustryWeek, published by Penton Media Inc., is the only magazine dedicated to covering the complexities of managing a manufacturing company in today's New Economy. Now in its 30th year, IW has an audience of 230,000 subscribers. Copies of IW can be ordered through its customer-service department at 800-326-4146.

With more than $2.9 billion in annual revenues, and engineering and manufacturing resources in 15 countries, Textron Automotive Company is a leading global supplier of instrument panels, cockpit modules, exterior and interior trim, plastic fuel tanks and under-hood automotive systems and components. Globally recognized for innovative proprietary technologies, Textron Automotive has received more than 60 awards for excellence from its customers in North America, Europe and Asia.