Monday, November 29, 2010

Chrysler Kokomo. Largest investment in one U.S. city for 2010


This is a short re-visit to our recent manufacturing startup. I really miss showing off our technology and working in that marketplace.

My business partner Dave and I manufactured and installed industrial fluid recycling systems in heavy industrial plants worldwide, beginning in 1997.

One of my favorite customers was Chrysler Kokomo. That's our equipment and our results highlighted in the photos.

Surprisingly there was little economic development press about a new $843 million investment recently announced by Chrysler to upgrade their metal casting and transmission manufacturing facility in Kokomo, Indiana. This brings this year's investment in Chrysler Kokomo up to $1.1 billion.

I know this plant well. I spent a LOT of time inside Chrysler Kokomo with our last venture.

Long before green manufacturing became cool, the technology Dave and I patented, built, and installed in Kokomo saved this one facility millions of dollars in reclaimed fluids and big decreases in resource consumption (largely oil , water, and surfactants). It was my understanding at that time that Chrysler Kokomo ran the largest heat treating operations under one roof in the world. Our equipment recycled oil and industrial fluids in most of the heat treating parts washers in this amazing facility.

After we installed our technology, we won a global environmental award from Chrysler, presented by Dr. Deiter Zetsche, current Chairman of Daimler AG in the photos above.

This award led to others and a lot more customers throughout that industry.

The new investment in Chrysler Kokomo is great news for this facility and for American manufacturing. With some additional funding by the City of Kokomo, this will be the largest investment in a single city in the U.S. this year.

I am very proud of the small part my business partner Dave and I played in helping this wonderful American manufacturing facility emerge smarter into our new century.

Congratulations, Kokomo! Congratulations, American manufacturing! Forward!


Inside Indiana Business. Interview with local UAW president about initial $343 million investment and Chrysler press release about full $1.1 billion investment in Chrysler Kokomo this year.

Washington Post article about President Obama visit to Chrysler Kokomo. 11/24/10

Environmental technology award presented by Dr. Deiter Zetsche

Photo notes: Dr. Deiter Zetsche in photos with Heat Treating Manager Bob McCulley. Wikipedia Dr. Deiter Zetsche

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