AutoForm is the leading vendor of metal-stamping validation software. Customers include all major automotive OEMs (GM, Ford, DaimlerChrysler, Toyota, VW, Honda, Nissan, BMW, Audi, etc.) and important Tier suppliers such as MAGNA, Dana, Thyssenkrupp, Tower, Benteler, ALCOA, Severstal and many others. Unmatched in speed and reliability, AutoForm is an integrated turn-key solution achieving dramatic time, cost and quality improvements throughout the metal-stamping process chain – from product styling/ planning through part feasibility, tooling design, process validation and robust manufacturing. With more than 2500 users at over 400 companies in 40 countries, AutoForm is recognised as the worldwide industry standard, leading the way in superior innovation and best-in-class support.

www.autoform.com

IndustriePlanung Fischer AG was founded in 1970 in Friedrichsdorf, Germany. Since then it has developed into an international engineering company with subsidiaries in Australia, Poland and the US. With its dedicated and highly qualified engineers in project management services, manufacturing and logistics engineering, as well as factory design, the company has performed in 700 projects over 30 years and in 20 countries, including a large number of turnkey projects. It has successfully provided services to automotive clients, component manufacturers and other related industries.

www.ip-fischer.com

Pilz manufactures and offers a complete line of safe automation solutions and control products. The line includes safety relays for automation applications, safety and general-purpose programmable logic controllers, lockout/tagout systems utilizing safety controls, monitoring relays, touch-screen HMIs rugged enough to withstand tough manufacturing environments, emergency stop pushbuttons, safety sensors including multidirectional and fully uniquely-coded versions, two-hand enabling devices, electromechanical safety switches, light curtains, and muting lamps. Certified engineers and qualified consultants are available to solve your safety needs by designing systems, managing projects, performing/facilitating risk assessments, performing machine/plant reviews, installing equipment, and training personnel.

www.pilz.com

Schneider Electric is one of the world’s leading suppliers of electrical, automation and control solutions for industrial applications. Our extensive global resources, responsive local service and world-class brands: Merlin Gerin, Square D and Telemecanique, provide the automotive industry with innovative and reliable manufacturing solutions. These solutions address manufacturing process improvements in production quality, throughput speed, maximization of uptime, and real-time sharing of production intelligence. Specific solutions, such as our Weld Timer for controlling voltage and current and Safety Gate Boxes for monitoring power applications, are evidence of our commitment to the automotive industry. Schneider Electric is committed to bringing the best of the ‘new electric world’, to everyone, everywhere at anytime.

www.schneider-electric.com

Sunderland is the largest city between Leeds and Edinburgh and is a vibrant, self-reliant and outward looking place. It is the UK’s fastest growing automotive location and over 12,000 people are currently employed in the sector. Nissan’s plant in Washington is now recognised as the most sophisticated and productive car plant in Europe. The company has chosen to launch three new models at its Washington plant by the end of next year - the Micra C+C, Tone and Qashqai. Sunderland’s outstanding success as an automotive city is enhanced by more than 30 associated component suppliers. Companies such as Magna, Faurecia, TRW and Calsonic are harnessing the skills and dedication of an outstanding local workforce. Building on Sunderland’s successful track record at Doxford International, plans are now underway for a new 55-acre business park at Rainton Bridge South. Work is well underway on this £100-million investment. Whether companies are locating or expanding, Sunderland provides a wealth of experience, financial incentives and support packages to help businesses retain their competitive edge.

www.investinsunderland.co.uk

For those active in the automotive sector Tornos comes up with highly suitable solutions that embrace automatic lathes, together with all the peripherals and required accessories, as well as providing the knowhow and expertise of its specialists. Tornos has produced single spindle and multispindle automatic lathes as turnkey solutions for the automotive industry for more than 40 years.

www.tornos.ch

Uddeholm Tooling AB is the world’s leading supplier of tooling materials and related services. Our tool steel is used for industrial dies that are used to make millions of products such as cars, TV sets, CD/ DVDs, computers, mobile phones, white goods, and so on. We think and act globally, and have more than 100,000 customers in more than 100 countries. Our global thinking means that we will always be there, whenever and wherever we are needed. Our presence on every continent guarantees that you will get the same high quality tool steel wherever you have your business.

www.uddeholm.com

Woodhead Industries develops, manufactures and markets network and electrical infrastructure products engineered for maximum performance in demanding environments. The global automotive market recognizes our brands of Brad Harrison, SST, Daniel Woodhead, mPm, applicom, Aero-Motive and RJ-Lnxx. Woodhead has been providing highly innovative solutions leading to increased performance, reliability and cost reduction in the automotive plant floor for more than 80 years. Through scalable and modular solutions, Woodhead has significantly improved operational uptime, and reduced installation and downtime costs. Woodhead has been a publicly-held company since 1968 and operates from 22 locations in 10 countries spanning North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific.

www.woodhead.com

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the State of Michigan’s one-stop resource for growing businesses in Michigan. We’re here to help whether your company is expanding, relocating, pursuing competitive-edge technologies or simply has a concern with another state agency. The MEDC and its experienced account managers conduct more than 5,000 business retention visits each year with companies across the state. And we’ve helped Michigan welcome nearly 11,000 new business expansion projects during the past eight years, more than any other state in the nation. From site location to tax incentives, job training to help with permits and regulatory issues, the MEDC matches resources to the needs of our business customers. Our expertise and programmes help Michigan companies lower their workers comp costs, secure federal research grants, launch successful technology companies, find new markets for their products and near perfect locations for their expansions.

www.medc.michigan.org

The Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) is the world’s leading organisation supporting the professional development and advancement of the manufacturing engineering profession. Through its member programmes, publications, expositions and professional development resources, SME builds support and awareness of the contributions of manufacturing and manufacturing engineers; it helps lead manufacturing education; improves members’ professional skills and competencies; and provides value-added networking, technical resources and best-practice sharing in over 100 manufacturing processes, practices and technical disciplines. Headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan, SME influences more than 500,000 manufacturing engineers and executives, and has members in 70 countries. The Society is supported by hundreds of chapters worldwide.

www.sme.org