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UNIQUE BLANKING CAPABILITY SECURES MINI CONVERTIBLE CONTRACT FOR CORUS
Steel blanks used for inner body components are usually cut from coil of between 0.6mm and 1mm thickness. As a convertible, however, the MINI Convertible requires a significantly stiffer under-body to compensate for the lack of a roof. To achieve this BMW has strengthened key inner-body components by increasing the thickness of the parts by up to three times the usual width, more typical of outer-body vehicle panels. BMW Group Plant Swindon turned to Corus as the only company in the UK with a press line capable of producing the required blanks of 3mm thickness. Working closely with Plant Swindon, Corus early vendor involvement from part conception through to production has helped to ensure that all BMW’s exacting specifications have been met. The blanks are being produced at Corus Automotive Service Centre in Wednesfield in the UK. The unique blanking line has recently enjoyed an investment of over £250,000 and features a 600 tonne large-bed press. The newly commissioned line also allows for wide coil sheet to be cut which maximises the number of blanks that can be produced per press blow. This reduces scrap and speeds up the manufacturing process, resulting in cost savings. Commenting on Corus’ strategic decision to invest in its downstream facilities at the Steelpark site in Wednesfield, Alan Hutchinson, general manager of the Automotive Service Centre said: 'Over the last few years we have seen an increasing demand from the automotive industry for tailor welded blanks and full-finish skin panel blanks ready for assembly.' 'Thanks to on-going investment our world leading Automotive Service Centre now boasts a comprehensive line-up of dedicated automotive processing facilities. As well as allowing us to process the latest generation of high strength steels, which are increasingly demanded by our customers, our unique pressing and blanking capabilities give us the flexibility to meet new design patterns and requirements. Securing the contract to supply the specialist blanks required for the MINI Convertible’s inner and outer sills underlines this and demonstrates our ability to meet this growing trend from carmakers.' Commenting on awarding the contract to Corus, Michael Fisher, purchasing manager, BMW Group Plant Swindon said: 'Corus is supplying us with body panel blanks for the MINI hatchback so we were confident that they could meet our exacting quality requirements for the Convertible. Importantly, Corus has the blanking expertise and specialist tooling to produce the unique blanks made from thick, high strength steel required to meet the design requirements of the Convertible.' Corus’ blanking line will run twenty-four hours a day, five days a week to supply blanks directly to BMW Group Plant Swindon, with extra capacity available should it be required by BMW. The line is now ramping up to full production volumes for the MINI Convertible and is expected to produce approximately 100,000 blanks for the model by the end of 2004. Corus’ Automotive Service Centre has also recently acquired accreditation to the new ISO TS16949 quality approval standard. Aimed primarily at tier one suppliers TS 16949 is a technical specification developed and supported by vehicle manufacturers in Europe, America and Japan and will help define quality system requirements for the global automotive supply chain. 'As a major supplier to the automotive industry, working to quality systems has been a way of life,' concludes Alan Hutchinson. 'Importantly for our customers, including BMW, having to meet third party approval through the TS 16949 standard means that they can be assured that the quality management systems operating within Corus meet the most stringent requirements removing the need for them to undertake further second party audits.'
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