Dürr and Ford sign global Aligned Business Framework agreement

10/20/2008

• Member of Ford´s key supplier network
• Development cooperation in painting systems
• Basis for further expanding collaboration

 

Stuttgart, October 20, 2008 – Dürr and automaker Ford are further expanding their collaboration in the area of painting systems. For that purpose, the two companies signed a framework agreement giving Dürr the status of an Aligned Business Framework (ABF) partner worldwide. This means that Dürr is the first supplier Ford will approach for projects in the field of painting systems, and the two companies will jointly develop technical solutions.

Dürr is currently building paint shops for Ford in India and Romania and a final assembly line in St. Petersburg. Ford enters into Aligned Business Frameworks agreements only with select key partners that are especially efficient and competitive in respect to technology and global presence. The agreements spell out business practices designed to increase future collaboration, including phased-in up-front payment of engineering and deve-lopment costs, extended sourcing and data transparency. Worldwide, the automaker works together with currently more than 65 ABF partners.

According to Ralf Dieter, CEO of Dürr AG, “The framework agreement is a milestone in our relationship with Ford as it opens up additional, global business opportunities for Dürr.”

A decisive factor in the selection of Dürr was the experience Ford has had in the past years, especially in the areas of innovative ability, delivery quality, and costs. Dürr can thus make a contribution towards enabling Ford to produce automobiles on fewer, globally used platforms – in higher quality, at lower cost and with greater use of standard parts and systems.

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Please note the attached picture showing Ralf Dieter (CEO Dürr AG, left) and Steve Proctor (Director Facilities, Materials and Services Purchasing, Ford Europe) after the signing of the ABF agreement.

The Dürr Group is a supplier of plant and equipment that commands leading global market positions in its areas of activity. Business with the automotive industry accounts for about 85% of its sales. Dürr also supplies innovative manufacturing and environmental technologies for the aircraft, mechanical engineering, chemical and pharmaceutical industries. The Dürr Group operates in the market through two divisions. The Paint and Assembly Systems division supplies production and painting technologies, mainly for automotive body & chassis manufacturing. The equipment and systems supplied by the Measuring and Process Systems division are used, among other things, for engine and transmission production and for final vehicle assembly. Dürr achieved sales of close to € 1.5 billion with approximately 6,000 employees in 2007. Dürr is present in 47 locations in 21 countries around the world.

Contact:

Dürr Aktiengesellschaft
Günter Dielmann / Mathias Christen
Corporate Communications & Investor Relations
Phone +49 (0)711 136-1785 / -1381
Fax +49 (0)711 136-1716                         
E-mail corpcom(at)durr.com

 

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