Chrysler Group’s Trenton Engine Awarded Bronze Designation

WCM implementation saves Company more than $1 billionsince June 2009 Chrysler Group LLC’s Trenton Engine Complex (Mich.) has beenawarded bronze status for its results in implementing World Class Manufacturing(WCM). Trenton becomes the fifth North American facility to achieve the firstWCM award milestone.

The plant received the bronze designation just over fouryears after adopting the WCM operating system following a two-day audit April16-17, 2014. Bronze is awarded after earning a minimum of 50 points in 10technical and 10 managerial pillars by demonstrating clear WCM know-how andcompetence through employee-conducted pillar presentations and a review ofprojects that have been expanded across the shop floor. Trenton earned a scoreof 52.

“We are very proud of the dedication our Trentonemployees have shown in accelerating the rate of improvement in their plant inorder to achieve bronze,” said Mauro Pino, Vice President and Head ofManufacturing/WCM, Chrysler Group LLC. “Together with our UAW partners,Chrysler Group is demonstrating its commitment to making our manufacturingfacilities among the best in the world.”

World Class Manufacturing is a methodology that focuseson reducing waste, increasing productivity, and improving quality and safety ina systematic and organized way. WCM engages the workforce to provide andimplement suggestions on how to improve their jobs and their plants. WCM wasfirst implemented by Fiat in 2006 and introduced to Chrysler Group as part of thealliance between the two companies in June 2009. Since that time, the Companyhas saved more than $1 billion in controllable manufacturing costs as a resultof the implementation of WCM.

During an audit, zero to five points are awarded for eachof the 10 technical pillars, which include safety, workplace organization,logistics and the environment, and for each of the 10 managerial pillars suchas management commitment, clarity of objectives, allocation of people,motivation of operators and commitment of the organization. A score of 100would indicate World Class.

In addition to Trenton, three other facilities currentlyhold bronze awards – Toledo Assembly Complex (Ohio), Saltillo Truck AssemblyPlant (Mex.) and Dundee Engine Plant (Mich.). The Windsor Assembly Plant(Ont.), which earned its bronze designation in 2012, was awarded silver inMarch, making it the Chrysler Group’s highest ranking plant in North America.

The Trenton Engine Complex is made up of two facilities -the South plant which opened in 2010 to produce the award-winning 3.6-liter V-6Pentastar engine and the North plant which began production in 1952. The Northfacility was idled in 2011, but has since reopened to build Pentastar andTigershark engines.

About Chrysler Group LLC

Chrysler Group LLC, formed in 2009 to establish a globalstrategic alliance with Fiat S.p.A., produces Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram, SRT,FIAT and Mopar vehicles and products. With the resources, technology andworldwide distribution network required to compete on a global scale, thealliance builds on Chrysler Group’s culture of innovation, first established byWalter P. Chrysler in 1925, and Fiat’s complementary technology that dates backto its founding in 1899.

Headquartered in Auburn Hills, Mich., Chrysler Group’sproduct lineup features some of the world’s most recognizable vehicles,including the Chrysler 300 and Town & Country, Jeep Grand Cherokee, DodgeDart, Ram 1500, SRT Viper and Fiat 500. Fiat contributes world-classtechnology, platforms and powertrains for small- and medium-size cars, allowingChrysler Group to offer an expanded product line including environmentallyfriendly vehicles.