GM Embraces Manufacturing Transformation with Apriso and HP at Chevrolet Volt Battery Assembly Operations
New solution to provide flexibility for continuous improvement across battery assembly operations pioneering new processes for all of GM
LONG BEACH, CA and PALO ALTO, CA) - Apriso®, a leading provider of adaptive software solutions for global manufacturing operations management, and HP today announced General Motors (NYSE: GM) has selected and is implementing an Apriso solution to expand visibility into and control over battery manufacturing and supply chain operations. HP will be deploying Apriso's FlexNet® at GM's new battery assembly plant in Brownsville Township, Michigan, to manage production and product quality of their highly anticipated Chevrolet Volt plug-in electric passenger car, currently scheduled for production in 2010.
GM selected HP to implement Apriso's manufacturing and quality solutions to help institute next generation manufacturing processes in their battery manufacturing operations for the Chevrolet Volt extended-range plug-in electric vehicle.
GM will use FlexNet to expand their global visibility and control of product quality across the Volt's distributed battery manufacturing facilities. Flexibility can be improved within the company's manufacturing process, supporting possible future design changes or production modifications.
"Given the new technologies and the breadth of supplier relationships that are integral components of the Chevrolet Volt, we needed a fundamentally different approach to manufacturing operations," stated Kevin Mixer, director of quality systems at General Motors. "With market demands shifting, technologies evolving, and implementing new production processes across a distributed manufacturing network, partners like Apriso and HP aided us in adapting quickly."
"Now more than ever, manufacturers have a critical need for real-time quality issue notification and visualization of problems," said Mark Collins, vice president, General Motors business, HP Enterprise Services. "With industry-leading expertise in manufacturing operations, HP can employ modular, scalable solutions to increase flexibility, making global manufacturers like GM more nimble."
GM is already operational with Apriso at plants in the United States and China, with a plan of having every Casting, Engine and Transmission plant operational in the next 24 months.
Our customers and partners increasingly view Apriso as a trusted advisor to improve their overall global manufacturing operations - a challenge we have consistently met," explained Jim Henderson, president and CEO of Apriso. "Apriso has a deep understanding of the unique issues facing the automotive industry, which can benefit GM by incorporating the industry's best practices surrounding quality, continuous improvement and manufacturing operations excellence."
About Apriso
Apriso Corporation is a software company dedicated to providing competitive advantage for its customers. It does so by enabling organizations to adapt quickly and easily to market changes and unexpected events. Apriso's FlexNet platform provides visibility, adaptability and real-time control of manufacturing operations across the enterprise and supply chain network. This is accomplished by integrating planning, execution and control, increasing operational efficiency and eliminating errors in the production process. Apriso serves more than 175 customers in 41 countries across the Americas, Europe and Asia. Its customers include General Motors, Lear, Honeywell, L'Oréal, Trixell, Lockheed Martin, Becton Dickinson, Saint-Gobain, Novelis and Essilor. For more information, please go to www.apriso.com.
About HP
HP, the world's largest technology company, provides printing and personal computing products and IT services, software and solutions that simplify the technology experience for consumers and businesses. HP completed its acquisition of EDS on Aug. 26, 2008. More information about HP (NYSE: HPQ) is available at www.hp.com.
