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Press Notice 21st February 2007:
Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama, LLC (HMMA) sends clear message on quality
For Release: Immediate
Montgomery, Alabama, USA - Today sees Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama, LLC (HMMA) celebrate their achievement of certification to the highest level of the internationally recognised automotive quality standard ISO/TS 16949:2002. A formal certificate handover will take place between Hyundai's President and CEO, Mr J. S. Ahn and Rob Brayfield, President of VCA North America, the certification registrar responsible for the assessment. Also present at the handover event will be Alabama Governor, Bob Riley and the Mayor of Montgomery, Bobby N. Bright.
Speaking in the run up to the presentation, Rob Brayfield, said, "This achievement is worthy of note on a number of levels. Firstly, there are few OEM's who have implemented and certified ISO/TS 16949 management systems in their own component manufacturing and assembly plants, and few will have achieved this in such a short space of time. This is a clear indication of commitment at all levels within the company and sends a message that when it comes to quality, HMMA means business".
John Kalson, Director of Production said, "Before job one rolled off the assembly line, we committed ourselves to leading the industry in business management processes. And speaking of VCA's involvement Chris Susock, Senior Manager - Quality Control said. "After careful consideration of many qualified 3rd party ISO/TS 16949 registrars, HMMA believed that VCA North America's reputation for high integrity and the understanding for Automotive OEM Business individuality, unique business environment and corporate culture, would and did provide us with an extensive high quality independent audit review".
Notes to editors:
VCA North America- is part of the UK's Vehicle Certification Agency. Part of the UK Department for Transport, VCA is the UK vehicle type approval authority and also offers certification to ISO9001, ISO 14001, ISO/TS 16949 and OHSAS 18001. Part of a global operation, VCA has its HQ in the UK, with other offices in North America, Japan, Malaysia, China and most recently, India. VCA specializes in the automotive field and has an enviable client base ranging from SMEs to multi-nationals such as the Ford Motor Company, Visteon, Hyundai, Honda, Toyota, Tata Motors, Proton, Perodua, etc. To find out more visit www.vcana.com
Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama - headquartered in Montgomery, Ala., is an independent manufacturing operation of Hyundai Motor Company, based in Seoul, Korea. HMMA currently produces the Sonata sedan and the next generation 2007 Santa Fe sport utility vehicle. At full capacity, HMMA will produce 300,000 vehicles annually. Hyundai cars and sport utility vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced by more than 755 Hyundai dealerships. The $1.1 billion (2-million square foot) assembly plant began production 20th May 2005 and is thought to be one of the most technologically sophisticated automotive manufacturing facilities around.
(Certificate handover images available on request)
Media Contacts (UK) - Paul Cooke, VCA Group Press Officer (paul.cooke@vca.gov.uk or call +44 (0)117 9524126).
Press Notice 3rd November 2006:
Launch of VCA India
VCA's LATEST OVERSEAS OFFICE LAUNCHED IN THE PRESENCE OF HRH PRINCE ANDREW, DUKE OF YORK & UK SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR INTERNATIONAL TRADE & INVESTMENT
For Release: Immediate
New Delhi - India's flourishing automotive industry will now have greater support from a leading European testing and certification partner as the UK's approval authority, VCA, opens a new office in India. Never far from the automotive news, India is thought to be second only to China in terms of overall growth and impact on the automotive industry. The Indian Government is playing a very supportive role in the growth of the Indian automotive sector and makes no secret of its desire to export more products to Europe and the wider world.
The launch, attended by HRH Prince Andrew, Duke of York, in his capacity as UK Special Representative for International Trade & Investment and HE Sir Michael Arthur, British High Commissioner took place on the 30th of October in New Delhi. Speaking at the event HRH Prince Andrew spoke of the world-leading expertise that exists within the UK and the role companies like VCA could play in helping the Indian automotive industry to realise the aspiration to access the EU market.
VCA CEO, Paul Markwick went on to say, "VCA has supported the automotive industry for more than 30 years and as it has become more global in nature, we have evolved and expanded to meet the needs of an ever-changing client base. This expansion has led us into a number of overseas territories and our New Delhi base is the latest in our portfolio. There is no doubt in my mind that India is becoming a force to be reckoned with and we will be on hand to support the testing and certification of products to European and other standards. A local presence will also help us to support existing customers in a more flexible way as increasing numbers move to the region. I am pleased to say that our expertise is well known and valued, a fact clearly demonstrated by our recent invitation to enter into a MoU with NATRiP (National Automotive Testing & R&D Infrastructure Programme). Both myself and my team on the ground look forward to supporting local industry in the years to come"
Notes to editors:
VCA - is part of the UK Department for Transport and it the UK type approval authority. In addition, VCA offers certification to ISO9001, ISO 14001, ISO/TS 16949 and OHSAS 18001. Part of a global operation, VCA has its HQ in the UK, with other offices in North America, Japan, Malaysia and most recently, China. VCA has an enviable client base ranging from SMEs to multi-nationals such as the Ford Motor Company, Visteon, Honda, Toyota, Tata Motors, Proton, Perodua, etc. To find out more visit http://www.vca.gov.uk/editors-notes.asp
(Opening event images available on request)
Media Contacts (UK) - Paul Cooke, VCA Group Press Officer (paul.cooke@vca.gov.uk or call +44 (0)117 9524126).
NATRiP - The National Automotive Testing and R&D Infrastructure Programme plans to invest $360 mil in world-class test operations over the next 3-5 years. A consortium has been selected to specify, design and build the new facilities in the four regional industrial centres of New Delhi, Pune/Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata. This process will also include the enhancement of the current ARAI test facility at Pune (ARAI is the Indian certification authority and approves product for the local market. A new purpose built test track, covering 4700 acres is planned for Indore, in the centre of the country.
