Industrial: Automotive and Assembly

Modern automotive assembly plants are designed to produce in excess of 350,000 vehicles each year while powertrain facilities can produce over 400,000 engines annually. Achieving profitable results in this highly competitive market segment hinges on balancing efficient vehicle production with regional customer demands.

Modern technology has greatly impacted the ability of automotive manufacturer's to achieve this balance. Integrated data systems coupled with flexible manufacturing systems enable auto manufacturers to produce the models, colors and options customers want-and adjust output in response to actual dealer sales.

If customers buy more sedans instead of crossovers, the flexible manufacturing system will accommodate. Should more customers prefer silver over black, the system intelligence schedules the paint shop to match demand. If hybrid drivetrains prove to be more popular than pure internal combustion engines-- the manufacturing system will adjust production to meet the immediate customer wants. Integrated data systems and intelligence guide manufacturing to build what is, or can be, sold rather than building vehicles to sit in inventory. In today's manufacturing environment, the intelligence within corporate data centers is integral for success.

Efficient plant output depends on the continuous operation of company data centers, where customer and supplier synchronization intelligence is stored, and, the actual manufacturing process. Both depend on the availability of clean, abundant, and reliable electricity as the common life-blood that powers each. With decreasing utility grid reliability, increasingly "dirty" in-plant power, and inherent electrical system component failures, there is growing performance pressure on the electrical power distribution system within automotive facilities to continuously supply clean, reliable and safe electric power. Manufacturers are increasingly challenged to improve electrical system reliability and quality in order to maximize vehicle output, weld quality and overall business results.

Eaton has been electrifying automotive manufacturing plants for over 115 years, and is a major supplier of uninterruptible power supplies which provide critical clean backup power necessary to achieve continuous operation of vital data center computer systems and manufacturing facilities. Entire enterprise electrical infrastructures, individual components, or life-extension services-Eaton Electrical solutions to the automotive industry span electrical projects from design through turn-key responsibility while encompassing the entire system life-cycle from initialization through equipment disposition.

Eaton applies core competencies in electrical system and back-up power design, manufacture, application, installation and life maintenance as integrated solutions to automotive applications that improves automotive customers and their suppliers business results. Applying our expertise allow automotive manufacturer's to focus their own core competencies of vehicle design and distribution. This holistic view is Eaton's PowerChain Management Solutions specific for automotive applications that:

• Increase Reliability and Production
• Reduce Operating and Project Expense
• Improve Asset Utilization and Risk Mitigation
• Improve Safety and Regulatory Compliance