Two Chrysler Group LLC facilities achieve first World Class Manufacturing milestone

Chrysler Group LLC's Dundee (Mich.) Engine Plant and Windsor (Ont.) Assembly Plant have been awarded bronze status for their efforts in implementing World Class Manufacturing (WCM), the highest ranking of any of the Company's North American
manufacturing facilities.

Both plants received the bronze designation less than three years after adopting the WCM operating system following audits during the week of April 2, 2012. Bronze is awarded after earning a minimum of 50 points in 10 technical and 10 managerial pillars by demonstrating clear WCM know-how and competence through pillar presentations and shop-floor project reviews.

"We are very proud of our Dundee and Windsor employees who have dedicated themselves to accelerating the rate of improvement in their plants in order to achieve Bronze," said Scott Garberding, Senior Vice-President and Head of Manufacturing/WCM, Chrysler Group LLC. "Together with our UAW and CAW partners, Chrysler Group is demonstrating its commitment to making our manufacturing facilities among the best in the world."

World Class Manufacturing is a methodology that focuses on reducing waste, increasing productivity, and improving quality and safety in a systematic and organised way. WCM engages the workforce to provide and implement suggestions on how to improve their jobs and their plants.

WCM was first implemented by Fiat in 2004 and introduced to Chrysler Group as part of the alliance between the two companies in June 2009.

WCM certified auditors from Fiat including the Head of WCM for Europe, Middle East and Africa, and the Plant Manager for Fiat's TOFAS plant (Bursa, Turkey) performed the audits. The Chrysler Group plants will be officially recognised for their achievements at a WCM award ceremony in Brazil this summer.

The Dundee Engine Plant produces the 1.4-litre FIRE engine for the Fiat 500, and the 2.0- and 2.4-litre engines for the Jeep Compass, Jeep Patriot, Dodge Caliber, Dodge Avenger, Dodge Journey, Chrysler 200 and Chrysler 200 Convertible. The plant's 388 employees work on a 3-2-120 operating pattern, which allows the plant to run 20-hours per day, six days per week, providing 49 more production days each year.

The Windsor Assembly Plant builds the award-winning Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan minivans. The plant runs three shifts with nearly 4,800 employees.

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