GEMA Plant, Noted For Operational Excellence By Shingo

Focus. Practice. Commitment to outstanding results. These highly-regarded “virtues” in business processes make a Shingo Awardee - considered as the “Nobel Prize of Manufacturing.”

Based from a report in Autochannel, on the 20th Annual Shingo prize for Operational Excellence Conference in Dallas, Texas scheduled this coming March 31 to April 3, the Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance (GEMA) plant in Dundee, Michigan that holds facilities in producing fuel-efficient engines for Chrysler will be receiving the 2008 Shingo Silver Medallion for Operational Excellence. Last year, it also bagged the same award making it as the sole automotive manufacturer to receive such recognition.

According to Vice President for Chrysler Limited Liability Company (LLC) Manufacturing and also a member of the GEMA Board of Directors, Richard Chow-Wah, it is a pleasure to be receiving such recognition which he considers a confirmation that they accomplished their mission of setting a revolutionary pace in engine manufacturing by maximizing manpower, processes, technologies and systems. Meanwhile, Global Engine Manufaturing Alliance LLC President Bruce Coventry dedicates the success to the committed and hardworking members of the GEMA team. According to him, the 330 GEMA employees including the 265 partner employees who keep the facility going just the way an Acura Legend tie rod enables your Acura car wheels to turn deserve the applaud and the honor.

He pointed out, “At the same time, in the spirit of continuous improvement we recognize there are many opportunities in our processes. We understand that manufacturing excellence is a never-ending journey, not a final destination.”

GEMA is known as a producer of 1.8-, 2.0-, and 2.4-liter engines used for Chrysler Sebring sedan and convertible, Dodge Caliber, Avenger and other vehicles using what are considered as the “World Engines,” these units developed by the joint efforts of Chrysler, Hyundai Motor Company and Mitsubishi Motors Corporation.

According to shingoprize.org, the GEMA plant in Michigan, which has been operating for three years now, was also a recipient of the Top Plant Award given by the Plant Engineering Magazine in 2007 while in 2006, it was given the Environmental Achievement Award from the Environmental Management Association.