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10 years of toolmaking at AUDI AG
Top technology supplier on course for success

Ingolstadt (ots)

Embargoed until July 7th, 2003, 3:00 p.m. (not for agencies)
Moving up a gear in its jubilee year: the
Toolmaking Division of AUDI AG is celebrating ten years of
operations. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board of
Management of AUDI AG, Dr. Jochem Heizmann, AUDI AG Board Member for
Production, and Xaver Meier, Chairman of the General Works Council,
delivered the speeches at an event held to mark the occasion. Head of
Division Hubert Waltl greeted around 100 guests from the spheres of
politics, business and training to the 10th birthday celebrations.
"We're more successful than ever," commented production chief
Heizmann. "Over the past 10 years, we have invested around 95 million
euros in Audi Toolmaking. This line of activity generated revenue of
around 202 million euros last year, and this year we will again be
adding to our capacity. For example, we have recruited 50 new
employees at Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm since the start of this year.
And we will be broadening our portfolio of toolmaking activities in
establishing 'Audi Tooling Barcelona' in Spain."
The Toolmaking Division builds extrusion dies weighing up to 48
tonnes for sheet-metal components. "This is where the groundwork is
performed for the quality that has helped the Audi brand move up in
the world in recent years," acknowledged Dr. Martin Winterkorn,
explaining the importance of the toolmaking activities. Winterkorn
also spotlighted the immense innovative capacity of toolmaking.
The Toolmaking Division of AUDI AG is considered a pioneer of
various techniques within the automotive industry, including
aluminium forming technology. Patents have been filed for a great
many of its own developments, such as roller-type hemming technology.
Audi has thus been able to position itself as a top technology
supplier within the automotive industry - and even as the world
market leader for aluminium technology. The VW Group designated Audi
Toolmaking a "Centre of Excellence" (CoE) in November 1996.
Audi Toolmaking plays a supporting role in all group activities in
this area worldwide, and makes its expertise available to others. Its
clients also include numerous external automotive companies. The
Toolmaking Division operates as an autonomous company under the AUDI
AG umbrella, and is a results and deadline-driven organisation. Dr.
Jochem Heizmann continued: "Over the past ten years, Audi Toolmaking
has evolved into one of the most modern, creative tooling
manufacturers in the world. This division of the company will
continue to be of immense strategic importance to the Audi brand
group and the group as a whole."
The Toolmaking Division currently employs around 1,150 people:
some 780 at Ingolstadt and 370 at Neckarsulm. "The high standard of
the technical facilities and the expertise of the workforce make our
toolmaking operations the market leader for tools. The division is
one of the most advanced and versatile areas in the entire group. The
benefits for the employees include the technically challenging work
and job security," added Xaver Meier, Chairman of the General Works
Council.
Countless investment measures at both German sites have helped the
toolmaking organisation to carve out a vital competitive edge over
the past ten years. In 2000 one of the most advanced toolmaking shops
in the world, housing a production area of 27,000 square metres, went
into operation at Ingolstadt at a cost of 60 million euros.
ots Original Text Service: Audi AG
Internet: http://www.presseportal.de
Communication: Audi locations
Joachim Cordshagen, telephone: +49 (0)841 89 36340
e-mail:  joachim.cordshagen@audi.de
Dr. Elke Bosselmann, telephone: +49 (0)841 89 36193
e-mail:  elke.bosselmann@audi.de

Original content of: Audi AG, transmitted by news aktuell

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