TRW Inc. (NYSE: TRW) and Hitachi, Ltd. (NYSE: HIT) today announced a strategic alliance
to market, sell, implement and integrate Hitachi's NXAUTO production control systems
software to global automotive clients. NXAUTO is a real-time, manufacturing execution
system (MES) package specializing in automotive plant process management that helps
automotive manufacturers.
TRW and Hitachi have partnered to maximize the benefits of using Hitachi's experience
as a dedicated system supplier to the automotive industry and TRW's experience as
a leading automotive supplier and systems integrator. Under the terms of the alliance
agreement, TRW and Hitachi will jointly sell and market the NXAUTO software while
TRW will be responsible for systems implementations and on-going maintenance support.
NXAUTO is a proven product with many installations at major automotive plants in
worldwide. It is a remarkable product that improves automobile assembly line productivity,
in these highly competitive times, by allowing plant to eliminate costly downtime problems
before they occur. This specialized software package has all the components for fast
set-up and implementation. Then, as needs grow, additional elements can easily be
incorporated because it is designed for flexible expandability. NXAUTO manages the vehicle
information and track each vehicle on a real-time basis. It provides work instructions
to the operators on the shop floor as well as the machines that are used in production.
NXAUTO further provides necessary production information for the managers to aid in
critical decision-making.
"We are excited about our partnership with Hitachi. Collectively, we will expand our
commitment to the automotive industry by creating a more focused and agile organization
that can lead the industry in automating plant process management," said Dick Albani,
Vice President and General Manager of TRW's Manufacturing Management and Integration
Solutions (MMIS) Unit.
"The strong presence of TRW in the market combined with the Hitachi's rich experience
definitely brings something to celebrate to our global customers. This package provides
a total solution at a reduced cost to cost customer through an efficient development
process," said Kenichi Morita, General Manager, Information & Control Systems Division,
Power & Industrial Systems, Hitachi, Ltd.
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