PRESS ROOM

Alabama Automotive Group Holds Manufacturing Workshop

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (September 12, 2001) - Toyota manufacturing executive Mike DaPrile will be the keynote speaker at the first workshop sponsored by the newly formed Alabama Automotive Manufacturers Association (AAMA).

DaPrile is a vice president of manufacturing for Toyota's manufacturing plant in Kentucky. His responsibilities include quality control, quality engineering and plant safety. Also, he is the director for implementation of new vehicle models.

DaPrile will provide details about Toyota's production system to members of the AAMA, which includes 101 companies and organizations across Alabama. His talk will be preceeded by a workshop on "Fundamentals of Lean Manufacturing" by Greg Harris, director of the Huntsville center of the Alabama Technology Network.

Also, a number of automotive experts from across the state will hold a panel discussion on "Implementing Lean Manufacturing: Issues in Starting, Supporting and Sustaining."

The program will be held on Oct. 19, at the Wynfrey Hotel in Birmingham. The ATN workshop starts the program at 9:30 a.m. That will be followed by a social, lunch at noon, and DaPrile's talk at 1 o'clock.

Before joining Toyota in April 1987, DaPrile held the positions of Manager - Final Assembly, Senior Administrator - Quality Systems, and Department Manager - Production at various General Motors assembly plants. He was with General Motors for 25 years.

The 90-minute panel discussion starts at 2 p.m. Panel members include: Michael Kinney, training specialist for Mercedes-Benz International; Greg Collier, manager of quality network manufacturing systems at Delphi Automotive Systems; Don Pickren, plant manager of ZF Industries; Mark Morrison, Honda Manufacturing and Louis James, chief operating officer of James Group International. Mel Adams from the Huntsville center of the Alabama Technology Network will serve as panel moderator.

The AAMA was created this year to promote growth and continuous improvement of the automotive industry in Alabama. For more information, or to join AAMA, visit the group's web site at http://www.aama.to

RSVPs for the meeting can be emailed to motea@uah.edu.

For more information contact:
Bernard Schroer
256.824.6855
OR
Ray Garner
256.824.6414