Automotive lock system company developing new technologies near Detroit.
November 19, 2014
Manufacturing Group Cars/Light trucks Design Manufacturing
Wixom, Michigan – Automotive lock systems company Kiekert continues to invest in its U.S. research and development center in Wixom.
The Wixom location allows Kiekert to provide just-in-time delivery for local automotive customers. Today Kiekert has a market share of 25% in the NAFTA region. Regular customers include among others Chrysler, Ford, and General Motors.
The founding of Kiekert Wixom took place on 20 September 1994. Since then, the automotive supplier has continuously invested millions in the expansion of its research and prototype-development facilities to enhance development capacity for its customers and to serve the growing market demand.
“Wixom is the focal point for all of our operations in North America and is a key innovation center in the company’s global product development network,” said Dr. Karl Krause, CEO of Kiekert AG. “Product solutions developed in Wixom have set industry standards around the world.”
The 50,000ft2 headquarters campus houses the company’s lead engineering and program management center for North America. Kiekert’s U.S. sales center also is located at the Wixom facility. About 100 people currently are employed at the Wixom location focusing on the development of new locking systems.
Recent technology developments include the Inertia Protech Latch (IPL) that is equipped with a continuous security mechanism. The system requires fewer components and takes up less space than current systems. About the size of two small match boxes, IPL is designed to fit directly into a vehicle’s door latch.
Source: Kiekert AG
Feinberg says his fund has successfully reached most accident victims.
November 18, 2014
Manufacturing Group Cars/Light trucks Design Manufacturing
Detroit, Michigan – Kenneth R. Feinberg, the administrator of the General Motors Ignition Compensation Claims Resolution Facility, has announced a one month extension of the claim filing deadline for submission of claims to the Facility. The current deadline of December 31, 2014 has been extended to January 31, 2015.
Lawmakers and plaintiff attorneys had urged as long as a one-year extension, saying GM still had not fully informed drivers about the extent of the recall problems. GM called back nearly 4.5 million Chevy Cobalt, Saturn Ion, Pontiac G5, and other cars because the ignition could slip out of the on position, shutting off airbags.
In announcing this one month extension, Feinberg emphasized that the many efforts to notify all eligible claimants have been largely successful. Notice has already been sent to nearly 4.5 million individuals targeting all current and prior owners of the eligible vehicles. An additional one month extension is being implemented “out of an abundance of caution,” he stated and because supplemental notice is being mailed this week by GM to approximately 850,000 newly registered owners and to those individuals for whom a change in registration, change of address or corrected address has been received.
“I believe that the many efforts to reach all possible GM automobile owners, former owners and others who might have been adversely impacted by a defective ignition switch have been both comprehensive and effective. There will always be some individuals who do not receive formal notice and are generally unaware of available compensation. But such individuals appear to be very few in number,” said Feinberg.
GM officials said they agreed with Feinberg’s extension, adding, “Our goal with the program has been to reach every eligible person impacted.”
As of Friday, Feinberg had identified 33 deaths associated with faulty GM parts. Another 27 claims submissions for those who died in car accidents are under review.
Source: General Motors, GM Ignition Compensation Claims Resolution Facility
Mobile hydraulics and pneumatics up, industrial shipments down.
November 18, 2014
Manufacturing Group Hydraulics/Pneumatics Machine tools Manufacturing