Boss greets Continental AG staff

Thursday, December 06, 2007

By BRIAN LAWSON

Times Business Writer brian.lawson@htimes.com

Former SiemensVDO workers told of global focus

The 1,700 workers at Continental AG's new Huntsville plant, formerly owned by Siemens, got to meet the new boss Wednesday.

Continental North American CEO Bill Kozyra flew down from Michigan Wednesday morning to greet and brief the Jetplex Industrial Park plant's employees about the new company and signal his interest in its operations.

Germany-based Continental bought the Siemens division, Siemens VDO, in a deal that closed Monday for $16.7 billion and makes Continental the world's fifth-largest auto parts maker.

That deal included the Huntsville operation, which specializes in electronics for engines, audio, body and dashboard systems.

Kozyra said he wanted to welcome the Siemens VDO employees on the first day of the new company's operation. That step was part of an broad welcome effort by Continental on Wednesday, which sent top executives to its new Siemens locations to meet with employees face-to-face.

"We're all excited to be part of a new global auto supplier," Kozyra said. "We also really excited about the Huntsville facility. I've come to Huntsville to reach out. This facility will be our largest facility in the U.S. and they make very important products here."

The company has 27,000 North American employees and 140,000 worldwide. Kozyra said Continental AG is a very strong position, with 80 percent of its products in the top three spots by segment for market share.

Hourly workers at the plant are represented by the United Auto Workers union. Union officials were not available for comment Wednesday, but Kozyra said he looks forward to the relationship.

Auto manufacturing in the U.S. has been hard hit in recent years, with automakers shutting plants and trimming operations. Kozyra said the purchase of Siemens VDO was focused globally and the North American division can play a key role in the future.

He said the Huntsville operation will boost the company's ability to develop advanced powertrain systems, which will play a key role in the development of vehicles that are more fuel- efficient and run cleaner.

"The capabilities we have here complement Continental's capabilities very well, if you look at powertrains, infotainment and passive and active safety systems," Kozyra said. "In the interior, infotainment systems, instrument clusters and navigation systems all provide important technologies, new to Continental, that connect the driver to the car.

"We see more and more of those kind of technologies evolving."

Siemens VDO bought the Huntsville operations from Chrysler in 2004.

Since that time, it closed the related facility in Cummings Research Park and shifted work to the Jetplex site. At the time of that purchase, the plants employed about 2,400 people locally.

Kozyra said up to 85 percent of the Huntsville operations work has been for Chrysler. Siemens VDO began the process of trying to expand its customer base and Kozyra said that effort will continue.

"This is a great facility with a bright future, but make no mistake we have to be globally competitive," Kozyra said. "We have to work together in a very intelligent way for long-term sustainable growth."



Boss greets Continental AG staff Thursday, December 06, 2007 By BRIAN LAWSON Times Business Writer brian.lawson@htimes.com Former SiemensVDO workers told of global focus The 1,700 workers at Continental AG's new Huntsville plant, formerly owned by Siemens, got to meet the new boss Wednesday. Continental North American CEO Bill Kozyra flew down from Michigan Wednesday morning to greet and brief the Jetplex Industrial Park plant's employees about the new company and signal his interest in its operations. Germany-based Continental bought the Siemens division, Siemens VDO, in a deal that closed Monday for $16.7 billion and makes Continental the world's fifth-largest auto parts maker. That deal included the Huntsville operation, which specializes in electronics for engines, audio, body and dashboard systems. Kozyra said he wanted to welcome the Siemens VDO employees on the first day of the new company's operation. That step was part of an broad welcome effort by Continental on Wednesday, which sent top executives to its new Siemens locations to meet with employees face-to-face. "We're all excited to be part of a new global auto supplier," Kozyra said. "We also really excited about the Huntsville facility. I've come to Huntsville to reach out. This facility will be our largest facility in the U.S. and they make very important products here." The company has 27,000 North American employees and 140,000 worldwide. Kozyra said Continental AG is a very strong position, with 80 percent of its products in the top three spots by segment for market share. Hourly workers at the plant are represented by the United Auto Workers union. Union officials were not available for comment Wednesday, but Kozyra said he looks forward to the relationship. Auto manufacturing in the U.S. has been hard hit in recent years, with automakers shutting plants and trimming operations. Kozyra said the purchase of Siemens VDO was focused globally and the North American division can play a key role in the future. He said the Huntsville operation will boost the company's ability to develop advanced powertrain systems, which will play a key role in the development of vehicles that are more fuel- efficient and run cleaner. "The capabilities we have here complement Continental's capabilities very well, if you look at powertrains, infotainment and passive and active safety systems," Kozyra said. "In the interior, infotainment systems, instrument clusters and navigation systems all provide important technologies, new to Continental, that connect the driver to the car. "We see more and more of those kind of technologies evolving." Siemens VDO bought the Huntsville operations from Chrysler in 2004. Since that time, it closed the related facility in Cummings Research Park and shifted work to the Jetplex site. At the time of that purchase, the plants employed about 2,400 people locally. Kozyra said up to 85 percent of the Huntsville operations work has been for Chrysler. Siemens VDO began the process of trying to expand its customer base and Kozyra said that effort will continue. "This is a great facility with a bright future, but make no mistake we have to be globally competitive," Kozyra said. "We have to work together in a very intelligent way for long-term sustainable growth." © 2007 The Huntsville Times © 2007 al.com All Rights Reserved.