Q:(Mr. Jean Marc, welcome to China Automotive Lightweight Seminar in Shanghai, as GONVVAMA, you are the leading for advance automotive steel, specialized in monolithic and laser welded parts in steel for hot-stamping applications, you already contributed a lot in industry of automotive, right now, we’d like to learn your international or national business plan for the future? And what’s your development plan for the important things in China?)
A: GONVVAMA co-develop solutions integrating laser welded blanks (LWBs) made from ultra-high strength steels hot stamping steels, based on ArcelorMittal’s S-in motion® light weighting and safety solutions to meet new C-NCAP and environmental norms. These ArcelorMittal’s solutions are recognized by all international OEM and have been recognized as innovative breakthrough solutions by multiples awards like PACE award. We are actually promoting these solutions to Chinese OEM being themselves eager to meet new stringent requirements in matter of crash test and CO2 emission. More recently ArcelorMittal has developed S in motion approach based on BEV mid-size and compact SUV to answer to the growing request in EV new platforms and new safety requirements linked to EV.
Q：What is GONVVAMA proposing?
A: GONVVAMA is a 50:50 Sino-foreign joint venture between ValinArcelorMittal Automotive Steel Co., Ltd. (VAMA; incorporated in Loudi, Hunan, PRC) and Gonvarri Steel Services (part of Gestamp Corporation; incorporated in Madrid). GONVVAMA is a critical link in VAMA’s value chain for automotive customers. Thanks to the technology transferred from ArcelorMittal, GONVVAMA operates the latest manufacturing technologies to produce shape blanks and laser welded blanks (LWB) in steel. Both cold- and hot-stamping products will be used including third generation ultra-high strength steels and second generation press hardened steel - Usibor® 2000 and Ductibor® 1000,, and exposed panels.
Headquartered in Changshu, GONVVAMA currently operates four advanced technology and service centers (ATS) in Loudi, Changshu, Shenyang, and Chongqing. The ATS cover all of the major automotive clusters in China.
As part of the joint venture, every GONVVAMA ATS is equipped with best-in-class shape blanking and laser welding processing lines. The lines employ ArcelorMittal’s proprietary technologies and make use of the company’s extensive experience with automotive steels. With the support from ArcelorMittal Global R&D, GONVVAMA is offering customers a full range of steel services and solutions.
Integrated supply chain increases operational efficiency, and reduces costs and wastage. This creates significant value for OEMs and customers, and helps them to produce cost-effective vehicles which are safer, lighter, and perform better.
Q: Right now, As GONVVAMA is an international company and has employees and several daughter companies worldwide, how can you ensure your quality of your employees, and, of course, it’s also reflect on the product qualities? Can you maybe introduce what’s your philosophy, your company visions and how to manager this matters?
A: What sets GONVVAMA apart in China? Our Philosophy is based on 3 pillars
1 A strong management team with international background and Start-up team for each site.
GONVVAMA was supported at start of production by a start-up team including specialists and experts at each site.
Experts from VAMA, ArcelorMittal, and Gonvarri support the high-level local team to accelerate learning process and ensure operations start smoothly and using the same quality and logistics standards as in Europe or US.
2. Technology transfer and support from ArcelorMittal and Gonvarri.
Global synchronization of new grades and processes (Door Ring) ensure Chinese clients receive similar offer to customers in Europe and US.
Unique know-how (including information system) in blanking and laser welded blanks (LWB) transferred smoothly to GONVVAMA before and during SOP. Latest equipment including Blanking press, Unique ablation technology, Breakthrough continuous laser welding, Complex Door Ring welding lines
3. R&D and EVI team specialized in optimized LWB are proposing package of tested and approved solutions including material savings and processing efficiency. We are co-developing tailor made solutions will all our clients in China
Souce: Chinaauto.net
