Delphi Electronics & Safety Celebrates Groundbreaking for New Buildings in Kokomo
December 13 2010 - 2:00PM
Marketwired
Federal, state and local leaders joined hundreds of Delphi
employees today to celebrate the company's investment of more than
$25 million to support innovation and technology activities here. A
groundbreaking celebration for two new buildings near the world
headquarters of Delphi's Electronics & Safety division drew the
support of guests including Kokomo Mayor Greg Goodnight; Hodge
Patel, district director for U.S. Representative Joe Donnelly,
D-Ind.; and Jack Middleton, director of community relations for
U.S. Representative Dan Burton, R-Ind.
In his welcoming remarks, Delphi Electronics & Safety
President Jeff Owens noted the significance of the project and
acknowledged the transition that occurred over the last few years
as Delphi responded to economic conditions. "Delphi is now
well-positioned for the future. We are stronger than ever and
investing in our future," Owens said. "With this investment, Delphi
Electronics & Safety is consolidating its Kokomo engineering
team into two Kokomo locations -- the Corporate Technology Center
property on East Lincoln Road and the manufacturing facility it
opened earlier this year on Morgan Street with the support of the
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).
"We have tremendous resources in Kokomo -- in our facilities
and, most especially, in our people -- and Delphi is investing in
resources that are critical to its future growth, to include power
electronics, active safety, advanced infotainment, connectivity
solutions, and powertrain electronics," Owens said.
"This investment supports Delphi's commitment to continue and
expand its leadership in the products and technologies that
customers want -- vehicles that are safer and greener, and vehicles
that allow them to remain connected to their busy lives -- even
while on the go," Owens continued. "Some of the best and most
innovative work is being done right here. And I'm very proud to
work with the engineers, technicians and support personnel who are
making that happen."
The project includes construction of a 70,000-square-foot
laboratory building to support high-technology development and
validation activities, with a focus on power electronics components
for hybrid and electric vehicles, and a 10,000-square-foot utility
building to support the utility needs of the East Lincoln Road
complex. Both buildings are expected to be occupied and operational
by the end of 2011. Infrastructure improvements at the Kokomo
Morgan Street facility also will support the high-voltage
requirements of the power electronics line.
This investment follows, and complements, the announcement last
December of a planned joint investment by Delphi and the DOE of
more than $178 million to expand Delphi's U.S. power electronics
manufacturing in Kokomo. Owens noted that the DOE is a vital
partner as Delphi builds its future, in part, around the vision of
clean, more secure U.S. energy sources and systems.
"Our emerging power electronics business will be key to Delphi's
direct participation in a number of emerging global markets for
high efficiency energy products," Owens said, adding this includes
everything from hybrid and electric vehicles to other "green" power
systems, like solar and wind-powered systems that can power our
homes and businesses.
Owens thanked the city for its support and Patel joined
Goodnight in sharing comments on the importance of Delphi's
continued investment in the economic health of north central
Indiana.
About Delphi Delphi is a leading global
supplier of electronics and technologies for automotive, commercial
vehicle and other market segments. Operating major technical
centers, manufacturing sites and customer support facilities in 30
countries, Delphi delivers real-world innovations that make
products smarter and safer as well as more powerful and efficient.
Connect to innovation at www.delphi.com.
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