Dana, GKN Win European Hydroforming Business for Land Rover
Aug 8, 2002
TOLEDO, Ohio, Aug. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Dana Corporation (NYSE: DCN) and GKN plc announced today that they have been jointly selected by Land Rover to supply full hydroformed frames for an important new mid-sized vehicle platform. (Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19990903/DANA ) Dana and GKN have established a 50-50 joint venture to manufacture and supply the structures. The structures were co-designed and developed by Dana and Land Rover and will be manufactured using Dana's patented Robo-Clamp(TM) hydroforming process. GKN is responsible for supplying prototypes. The business will represent Dana's first hydroforming activity in Europe. In working with Land Rover to design and develop the structures, Dana utilized its Virtual-Time Engineering(TM) capabilities, whereby engineers at centers in the United States, the United Kingdom, and India shared information around the clock to speed the development process. In order to be more closely aligned with its customer in developing the solutions, Dana also located engineers at Land Rover's facility in Gaydon, England, U.K. In order to maximize the utilization of existing assets, the structural products will be manufactured at GKN's facility in Telford, Shropshire, U.K., using advanced robotic assembly techniques, as well as Dana's patented hydroforming process. The facility currently produces full frames for the Discovery and chassis components for Range Rover vehicles. Joe Magliochetti, Dana chairman and CEO, said, "This is an important step in expanding this foundation business in Europe. At the same time, we have taken an innovative, clean-page approach to enhance capacity utilization and support this important customer with a minimal fixed investment. "We believe our design and development capabilities, coupled with our experience as a proven source for hydroformed structures, were instrumental in winning this business. Land Rover and Range Rover are well-known brands, and we are proud - through our strategic partnership with GKN - to be a part of this exciting new platform." Bill Carroll, president of Dana's Automotive Systems Group, said, "These hydroformed frames are lighter and stronger than conventional frames, which supports the goal of vehicle manufacturers to increase fuel efficiency while simultaneously improving ride and handling characteristics. Additionally, hydroforming provides flexibility in design, improved dimensional stability, and enhanced energy absorption - all at a lower investment level for our customers." Hydroforming is a process where water or other fluids are injected into a steel tube placed within a closed die that replicates the final external shape of the chassis member. The fluid is pressurized, and the steel expands to take on the required shape. The Robo-Clamp process is specifically designed to cost effectively extend the attributes of high-pressure hydroforming to high- tonnage long-bed applications by reducing equipment investment, tooling investment, and running cost. Dana Corporation is one of the world's largest suppliers of components, modules, and complete systems to global vehicle manufacturers and their related aftermarkets. Founded in 1904 and based in Toledo, Ohio, the company operates some 300 major facilities in 34 countries and employs approximately 70,000 people. The company reported sales of $10.3 billion in 2001. Dana's Internet address is http://www.dana.com .
SOURCE Dana Corporation
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