June 2005 · nº 42 New plant in CHINA Opening of Antolin Shanghai Autoparts

On the road to Six Sigma The end of one stage and the beginning of another

NEWS Published by Grupo Antolin

Grupo Antolin is an international company,leader in the design and manufacture of interior components for the automotive industry

It is present in 20 countries, and has more than 9,600 employees.

EDITOR Grupo Antolin Human Resources Division Carretera Madrid Irún, km. 244,8 E 09007 BURGOS - SPAIN Tel. 34 947 47 77 00 Fax: 34 947 47 79 48 www.grupoantolin.com

DIRECTION Human Resources Division Eva Romero · [email protected]

DESIGN Germán Delgado · [email protected]

PHOTOGRAPHY Rafa Sáiz

PRINTED BY COIMAN C/ Marqués de Portugalete, 16 E 28027 MADRID - SPAIN Tel. 34 91 742 12 03 Fax: 34 91 742 67 81 Summary

page. 3 in first person

page. 4 on the cover Opening of Antolin Shanghai Autoparts

page. 6 designing the future “Class A” Surfaces

page. 8 special Latest trends, towards a new form of segmentation

page. 12 in picture On the road towards Six Sigma

page. 14 the history corner Volkswagen

page. 16 short news News in brief

page. 20 health Careful with the Sun!

page. 22 on the way Prague

2 news grupo antolin · june 2005

José Manuel Temiño Chief Executive Officer

Revitalising the improvement based on a new organisational model that focuses on two main aspects, product and customer, is an objective that we all pursue and whose fruits are essential to respond to the growing demands of our market.

The changes are progressively taking place in the organisation and all of them must be fully operative after the summer break. Our managers are making a considerable effort to implement these changes and I wish take the opportunity to thank them for the extraordinary work they are doing.

All changes represent the commencement of new improvement opportunities. If the changes are efficiently managed, we will be able to foreseen the difficulties to know how to overcome them, and we will become aware of the opportunities in order to take advantage of them.

The greatest opportunities may come from improving the interfaces, which have been more problematic in the past

Integrating our Commercial Development and Production Areas with common goals and

responsibilities is a basic objective for the New Organisation and, to a great extent our ...in first person improvement will depend on them being fulfilled.

To attain these goals and responsibilities we must act bravely and proactively, giving pow- ers and competences to those who, regardless of whether they belong to Central or Peripheral Departments or Production Plants, are, due to their knowledge, better equipped to respond to the work requirements.

The only intelligent way of facing up to these challenges is to use the right resources, wherever they may be, and these must be used without any kind of restriction.

I am convinced that this intelligent attitude is going to prevail in our acts and that the remodelling of the organisation is going to dynamise the integration of our creative and management potential, using the knowledge of our entire human team to overcome the important challenges that the automotive sector, and consequently our company, are submitted to.

june 2005 · news grupo antolin 3

ON THE COVER

Many of you are aware that the official opening recently took place on 25th May of our new industrial plant in China, Antolin Shanghai Autoparts. Present at the ceremony were Mr José Montilla, the Spanish Minister for Industry, Tourism and Trade, our Chairman, Mr José Antolin, along with other distinguished local authorities. The opening of this manufacturing plant is undoubtedly an important step in the strategy being followed by the Group to develop its presence on the Chinese market.

Opening of Antolin Shanghai Autoparts From right to left: Mr. José Montilla, Spanish Minister for Industry, Tourism and Trade, Mr. José Antolin, Mr. Pablo Baroja and Mr. Rafael Martín on behalf of Grupo Antolin and Mr. Jorge Dajani, Chief Executive for the Spanish Department of Trade in Shanghai

Briefly-speaking, Grupo Antolin started In 2001, an agreement was reached for its project for the future in China at the cooperation with a local firm supplying com- beginning of the new century, encour- ponents by means of a contract to transfer aged, doubtless to say, by the profound technology and know-how, which enabled changes that country was going through, us to approach the market from a privileged both in economic terms in general, with position, full of tremendous expectations, China's entry in the WTO, and also in the while at the same time being quite “unfa- automobile sector in particular, where an- miliar” with it. In this way, it has been pos- nual growth rates for the production of sible for us to be active witnesses of the spec- passenger vehicles were over 30%. In just tacular growth that has taken place over the The Spanish minister for Industry, a short while, China has gone from being last few years, and of the profound change Mr José Montilla,visited the installations the great unknown for the vast majority mentioned above that has occurred in the accompanied, amongst others, by Mr José Antolin, before the opening of people to appearing every day as front- automobile sector with the arrival of all the ceremony page news. main actors in this country.

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The staff is currently made up of 34 people, although this number is expected to rise to 200 people by the year 2008 Shanghai Autoparts Antolin

More recently, the Group decided to build cal partner and trades under the name ture of seats for the Mercedes NCV2, a Technico-Commercial Department in of Chongqing Antolin Tuopu Overhead along with other agreements for manu- Shanghai for the purposes of strengthen- Systems. facturing seats for the railway. ing its presence in the country and hence develop a series of activities that will un- It is our firm intention to promote our re- We must not forget that it is important for doubtedly lead to a subsequent step that sources to the utmost in the area so as us to make the most of our presence in is noticeably more ambitious, such as the to take advantage of all the opportuni- China to increase the significant purchas- creation of our own industrial presence ties that might arise. In keeping with this ing opportunities that are around for ex- in such an active, dynamic market, which approach, we already have a new indus- porting components from China to oth- nowadays is considered to be a key fac- trial activity in the North of China that is in er centres run by the Group in the rest tor in the global market of the industry. a very advanced stage of development and of the world. This task is obviously of para- close to becoming a reality, for produc- mount importance for us to be able to Today, this project has now become a real- ing electric windows and door modules maintain the competitive levels that are ity with Grupo Antolin opening an indus- over there. We are also concluding an constantly being demanded by our cus- trial plant, Antolin Shanghai Autoparts, agreement for the transfer of technolo- tomers. in the city of Jiading (known as the Auto- gy with a local company for the manufac- mobile City), where overhead systems are Nevertheless, we should also point out now currently being manufactured. The that there are serious problems to be had plant has a constructed area of 5,200 sq m, in entering this market. The obvious cul- erected on a site measuring 11,200 sq m, tural differences, the clear symptoms of with a production capacity for 1,000,000 overcapacity, provoking an extremely dif- roofs per year. It currently has a staff of 34 ficult price war and the significant weight people, although it is envisaged that this still given to personal relations in the number will rise to 200 by the year 2008. process of obtaining orders (Guang-Xi) all offer important challenges. We are Current projects are Ford C307 (China+Tai- fully aware of such problems and are con- wan), Mazda J48, , X11J vinced of the appropriateness of this chal- (China+Taiwan), K5 and Isuzu Elf for lenge, and that we shall be able to carry Japan. Negotiations are also at a fairly ad- it off successfully. vanced stage for new projects with Ford (Mondeo and B-car), Mazda and the lo- We would not like to finish without ex- cal manufacturer, Cherry. pressing our sincerest thanks to all those people in our Group that, whether di- Furthermore, during the recent month rectly or indirectly, have contributed both of April, we formed a new company in in China and in Spain to making the dis- Chongqing for assembling modular roofs. tant dream of establishing our presence in This involves a mixed company with a lo- China come true.

june 2005 · news grupo antolin 5

DESIGNING THE FUTURE

Clase A Internal Project by the Dept. of Design Surfaces

Industrial Design is a creative process, and as such uses various tools throughout the different stages. In moving from 2D (outlines, sketches) to 3D (modeling)it becomes a very important part of the process. During this phase, creativity and initial ideas are converted into stylish surfaces. Being able to guarantee the quality of such surfaces, and also meet feasibility requirements are thus factors of paramount importance.

Héctor Gutiérrez / Silvia Pérez GRUPO ANTOLIN-INGENIERIA-DIM

We are all aware of the fact that today's beforehand, and at the same time to products are not only designed to comply maximize the time available, this being a with functional factors, but that it is also crucial factor for achieving a greater becoming more and more important to degree of competitiveness on the market. look after their aesthetic or visual appear- ance in order to attract the user. To meet this commitment the concept of “Class A Surfaces” has emerged for the Visual appearance constitutes a com- face of the products. petitive advantage that distinguishes between two products with the same Class A is synonymous with geometrical features and technical specifications. continuity. There can be different types of continuity: tangency, position and curva- The aim of a good surface modeler is to ture. What is important is that the best comply with all feasibility requirements, quality is always obtained through surfaces while maintaining the design that was that are continuous, regular and simple, originally conceived in the creative phases thereby maximizing resources.

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Criteria that help guarantee surface quality

For this reason, Class A surfaces have to comply with the following conditions:

1. Aesthetic conditions, keeping the forms proposed by the designer and/or customer in line with appropriate polish- ing lines. Interpretation of polishing lines

2. Mathematical conditions, the simplest connection possible between surfaces and mathematic equation.

3. Adequate conditions for production and feasibility of design.

In order to achieve the quality required, apart from using the Alias Studio Tools program, the Department of Industrial Design at Grupo Antolin has started modeling with ICEM Surf, one of the most advanced pieces of software that exist for creating Class A surfaces.

At the same time, the ICEM Surf pro- gram also offers a perfect link with oth- er software packages (CATIA, I-DEAS, ALIAS, etc). Diagnosis of curvature

Based on the initial sketches, it is possi- ble to obtain high-quality surfaces right from the first stage in the process of cre- Types of transitions from geometric objects to planes of symmetry ating a product.

Using its tools for modeling, analysis and diagnosis, it is possible to achieve a thor- ough control of the aesthetic and tech- nical aspects of the surfaces contained Plane of Symmetry Plane of Symmetry in the model. Original geometry Continuous transition

However, a powerful tool for creating sur- faces is useless without the good crite- ria of the modeling team and designers.

Plane of Symmetry Plane of Symmetry Due to the importance acquired by the Transition of continuous tangency Transition of continuous curve perceived quality of the car interior, our customers are becoming more and more discerning and demanding. Being ready As can be seen in the picture, continuity between two surfaces and able to offer the right answer at their may be at the point of tangency and curvature depending on level of expectation is fundamental. how the control points are aligned.

june 2005 · news grupo antolin 7

SPECIAL Latest trends towards a new form of segmentation

It used to be easy to slice up the segments of the “pie” for the car industry into five or six portions of varying sizes. Nowadays, however, this pie is divided into so many portions, that it is difficult to say exactly how many there are.There are niches inside other niches...

Rosalía Arribas Grupo Antolin-DIM

Fifty years ago, life was much easier for But apart from the size, it is the body styles divided in turn into a number of different analysts in the car industry. Manufacturers that lead to the greatest amount of con- niches so that the range on offer could be built and sold vehicles in two basic sizes: fusion nowadays. Not so long ago it was no customized to satisfy the various require- apart from trucks, they came in small and problem to classify the basic types: coupé, ments of the most demanding clients. large, and that was the end of it. , , Nowadays, we can say that the number of segments has grown to 20 in Europe, a Later on, as the range and type of vehi- compact, or break, and . growth rate that shows no sign of abating at cles on offer increased, it became popular Then the four-wheel drives, or SUVs (Sport the moment. In an attempt to shed a little to use letters to refer to the various differ- Utility Vehicles), burst onto the scene in a big light on the intricate world of segmentation, ent segments, a labeling system that is still way, along with the MPVs (Multi-Purpose Ve- on the next page we refer to the newest and used by car rental firms today. From “A”, hicles); with these two segments being sub- most original segments of the market referring to the segment of vehicles that are smaller in size and have fewer features, and then “C”, for medium-sized vehicles, and finally to “F” for real luxury and “G” for sports cars. Future launches in Niches

8 noticias grupo antolin · junio 2005

Crossover

A light-weight variant of the four-wheel drive, or SUV with the featu- res of a compact vehicle.This is a trend that is on the rise; in 4 or 5 years' time nearly all manufacturers will offer this type of model. Examples include the and the Honda C-RV. Nissan Murano Honda C-RV Sport Wagon Audi Allroad Vehicles with the morphology of a family car (more luggage space, or more headroom), but as functional as an SUV.By way of example, we can mention the Audi Allroad and the Volvo XC70.

Multi Activity Vehicle Volvo XC70

Chrysler Pacífica Vehicles that combine the features of a monospace vehicle with the sporti- ness of a four-wheel-drive. Examples:The Chrysler Pacific or the Mazda 5.

Mini MPV

These are small monospace vehicles derived from a compact vehicle. Notable examples include the C-Max or the Scenic, Mazda 5 derived from the Megane. Even the smallest vehicles have a mini MPV de- rivative: the Meriva was based on the Corsa, the Ford Fusion on Ford Focus C-Max the Fiesta and the Renault Modus on the Clio.

MultiSpace

These are sedans that are derived from , and were pioneered by the French with the Kangoo, Berlingo and Partner, models which were born in a more or less rudimentary fashion,but which are gradually becoming more and more sophisticated. Renault Modus Other variants

These vehicles each offer different versions depending on the make, but sin- ce there are so many of them,they should best be left for another debate:“Sport Activity Vehicles”,“Urban Activity Vehicles”,“Compact Sports Tourer”, “Space Functional Concepts”.

According to JD Power,a forecasting consul- done in 20 to 24 months, and according sors, light-weight materials, etc. Solutions tancy for the car industry, last year over 3 mil- to some manufacturers, this figure might that require continuous effort for their con- lion “niche vehicles” were sold in Europe, soon be whittled down to 18 months. ception on the part of the Departments of which amounts to an increase of 17% with Marketing, Design and Innovation, in the respect to the previous year. At the same time How is Grupo Antolin tackling this analysis of supply and demand and the in- there was a 6% drop in the sale of tradi- situation? The Group is well aware of the creasingly more sophisticated needs of our tional versions like compact vehicles, sedans trends in the market and is working on a customers. and family cars. number of projects to be incorporated in niche vehicles. Most of the activities set up in these depart- What is the reason for this pheno- ments lead to a greater understanding of menon? One of the main reasons is the Such projects require intelligent, unique what the end user expects from these niche increase in the speed with which a mod- solutions that are a one-off and can be vehicles: analyses of Perceived Value, stu- el can move from the initial stages of de- adapted to spaces that are becoming more dies on ergonomics, exploring new trends, sign to production thanks to the progress and more diverse and intricate: enormous virtual designs, etc. all place value on the made in CAD-type technologies. What overhead consoles, original panoramic sys- wishes and needs of the end customer so used to take 30 to 36 months can now be tems, adjustable seats, more versatile sunvi- that we can bring them to fruition.

june 2005 · news grupo antolin 9

IN PICTURE

On the road to Six Sigma The end of one stage and the beginning of another

This information is developed on page 18

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Graduation of the Third Wave of Black Belts and Business Green Belts

1. Michal Vojtechovskyˇ 6. Adelaida Antolin 12. Carlos Ortega 18. Félix Sáiz (BB) G.A. Bohemia (DFSS GB) I & M Division (BB) G.A. Dapsa (DFSS GB) Quality Division 2. Rosalía Arribas 7. Fernando Dal-Re 13. Miguel Ángel Angulo 19. Adrián Cana (DFSS GB) I & M Division Chief Human Resources Officer (BB) G.A. Ardasa (BB) G.A. Autotrim 3. Miguel Ángel Grande 8. José Manuel Temiño 14. Julio Asensio Ausentes: (DFSS GB) Overhead Systems Divison Chief Executive Officer (BB) G.A. Ara Fco. Javier Rodríguez Girón (DMAIC GB) 4. David Mena 9. Nuria Pastor 15. Thomas Cepl Suppliers Management Divison (BB) G.A. Aragusa (DMAIC GB) G.A.Palencia (BB) G.A. Autoform 5. Robby Vollstädt 10. Montserrat Santillán 16. Iratxe Burgos (DMAIC GB) G.A. Logistik Deutschland (DFSS GB) Human Resources Divison (DMAIC GB) G.A. Álava NB: DMAIC GB Áureo Alessandri Jr. (Iramec) 11. Cédric Boulanger 17. Esther Gonzalez has also graduated, following training by (DMAIC GB) G.A. Logistique Douai (DFSS GB) Door Systems Divison 2nd Wave BB, Edson Pereira.

12 noticias grupo antolin · junio 2005

4 8 2 6 10 5 7 3 9 11 st 1 11 Certification of 1 Wave of Black Belts

1. Miguel San Román (G.A. RyA), on behalf of Mª Cristina Laguna (G.A. RyA) 2. Óscar Ruiz (Information Systems Dept.) 3. Susana Navarro (DEOM) 4. Pedro Ruiz (I & M Division) 5. Merche Rodríguez (Human Resources Division) 6. Gonzalo Castro (DEOM) 7. Luis Adán (Quality Division) 8. Jesús Herrero (DEOM) 9. Álvaro Godino (Business Development Division) 10. José Manuel Temiño (Chief Executive Officer) 11. Jim Brown (G.A. Kentucky) Absent: Salvador Peris (G.A Kent-JIT Solihull)

june 2005 · news grupo antolin 13

THE HISTORY CORNER

The generation of the people's car BEETLE “Volkswagen”

Nowadays Volkswagen employs more of the model's very original and attrac- becomes a huge sales success, and is soon than 133,000 workers all over the world tive shape. considered the legitimate successor to the and amongst its vehicles includes legendary "Beetle" since, following 30 models such as the Golf, the Passat or Production started at the Wolfsburg fac- years of existence and with almost twelve the Polo, and upper range models like the tory in 1945 with an output of 1,800 Bee- million units manufactured, the Wolfsburg Phaeton and the Touareg. Seven models tles and gradually increased until, five years plant ceases to manufacture it. of the Beetle and a total number of five later, they reached the first million units. generations of Golf are milestones in the At the same time, a new, more elegant history of this development. A total of 21.5 and sophisticated model was presented, million Beetles, 23 million Golfs, 13 million developed together with Karmann, and Alliances and great Passats and 9 million Polos are the best known as the "Karmann Ghia Coupé". proof of its success. results VW suffers its first sales crisis in 1967. Out- We shall now turn our attention briefly put was reduced by 300,000 units and In 1978, Volkswagen and Audi unite their to the years that have marked the histo- sales dropped off by the same amount. sales structure all over the world under the ry of this car-manufacturer. However, in 1972 it bounced back, be- V.A.G. trademark. At the end of that same coming the number one car manufac- year they had 211,000 employees. The turer in the world. The "Beetle" thus sur- decade of the seventies closes with the passes the legendary record of the Ford production of the “Jetta” at the Wolfsburg model T. plant. The “BEETLE” is born The 1980s see the birth of the second gen- The history of Volkswagen begins with the eration of the "Passat", with a more ele- legendary Beetle. In 1934, the German The new VW gant and streamlined body and more spa- government receives a proposal for a de- cious interior, which goes into produc- sign from Ferdinand Porsche to develop generation tion in Wolfsburg. a car intended for the people, ("Volk- swagen” in German). Thus is born one We now enter the decade of the seventies Furthermore, the start of production of the of the best-known symbols of the German with the presentation in 1973 of the "Pas- second generation of the "Golf" intro- car industry. However, it will not be until sat", which is the starting point for its new duces great technological changes in ma- 1938 when the VW 38 is presented to the generation models. Production is also nufacturing processes. For the first time, a general public, and ironically christened started for a model that is still something vehicle is designed for highly automated "Beetle" by the New York Times because of a legend today: the "Golf", which fast assembly with the support of robotics.

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GOLF

At the annual meeting of shareholders, produced by the group have lost that ro- approval is given to change the name of bustness and personal character that its ri- the company from vals try so hard to copy without success. Is it because it is German? Volkswagenwerk AG to Volkswagen AG. In 1982, the cooperation agreement We cannot speak about the VW consor- signed with Sociedad Española de Au- tium without referring to the “Autostadt “ tomóviles de Turismo S.A., (SEAT) enables (The Automobile City). This is located in the Volkswagenwerk AG to prepare the way city of Wolfsburg, a city that is essentially for opening up the market in Spain to the ”Volkswagen”. The Autostadt provides a models manufactured by the Group. SEAT platform for service and communication for becomes the third independent trademark the VW consortium, in total harmony with of the Volkswagen consortium. VW as- its slogan: ”People, automobiles and what- sumes control of Skoda in 1990, thereby ever moves us”. Between the time of its obtaining excellent access to the auto foundation and 2000, Autostadt had al- market in Central and Eastern Europe. ready received seven million visitors.

In 1998, it acquires the makes of Rolls- The last few years have seen the appear- Royce, Bentley, Bugatti and Lamborghi- ance of the “New Beetle Cabriolet", which ni. From 1999 onwards, it begins cons- offers a unique, avant-garde design, the truction of an original glass factory in "Touran", which is the make's first com- Dresden, to assemble the make's luxury pact minivan or people-carrier, and also the Passat 2005 models, where the project for "Concept "Touareg", a successful four-wheel-drive D" will be drawn up, with this prototype vehicle. subsequently being christened with the name of "Phaeton", a sedan at the top Furthermore, only a short time ago produc- end of the market with an imposing de- tion commenced for the fifth generation sign, setting up new models of techni- of the "Golf", characterised by its marked- cal, aesthetic and functional criteria. ly sportscar-type features and the impos- ing design of its body, which is adapted to the latest demands for family vehicles and launched as the Golf Plus. Phaeton

Recent history The final product to be launched with a Touareg guarantee of success is the new Pasta, During the last decade of the twentieth which aims to attract customers through century, VAG starts to draw up different its suggestive advertising, full of sensitivity strategies for its various makes of car, and appeal to the senses. grouping together VW and Skoda, with a more traditional feel about them, and In future issues we shall delve deeper in- SEAT and Audi with another more exclu- to the history of the makes that form part sive, sporty appeal, but none of the makes of the VW consortium.

june 2005 · news grupo antolin 15

IN BRIEF

Grupo “CDTI” Antolin visits awarded our plant with a prize in India by AEDIPE The Spanish Secretary Gen- eral for Industry and Chair- The “Asociación Española de man of the Centre for Indus- This visit is organised within Dirección y Desarrollo de Per- trial and Technological Deve- the framework of activities sonas (AEDIPE)” (The Spa- lopment,(CDTI), Joan Trul- set up for the Indo-Hispanic nish Association of Personnel lén Thomas, was given the Seminar on the auto parts Management and Develop- chance last April to find out in sector run by SERNAUTO ment) and Human has award- person about the experiences (Asociación Española de Fab- ed Grupo Antolín with one of of Grupo Antolín while set- ricantes de Equipos y Com- the 2005 Prizes for Innovation ting up the manufacturing ponentes para Automoción), in Human Resources for its plant, Grupo Antolin-Pune, (the Spanish Association of overseas activities of our sec- Mentoring program. in India. Manufacturers of Auto parts tor and at the same time fa- and Equipment), ICEX (Insti- cilitating the search for re- The current Mentoring pro- CDTI has decided to set up tuto Español de Comercio presentatives and dealers by gram, set within the context of a delegation here since this is Exterior) (the Spanish Insti- the Spanish companies in- the Program for Management the most advanced country, tute of Foreign Trade) and volved, and establishing and Development of Talent, technologically-speaking, in the Secretary General for In- trade agreements. This act has won a prize awarded by the region, with a high po- dustry, co-ordinated by the led to bilateral meetings with AEDIPE, the most prestigious tential for development and Oficina Comercial de España more than 60 Indian compa- professional association in the has many Spanish companies (the Spanish Office of Trade nies from the manufacturing field of Human Resources, with installations on its soil in India), for the purposes sector for auto parts, for the with more than 3,600 profes- that have become interna- of obtaining a better know- purposes of making our busi- sional partners from over tional firms, including ledge of the Indian market ness and industrial intentions 2,100 companies, in collabo- GRUPO ANTOLIN. for auto parts, promoting the known to each other. ration with the human re- sources consultants, Human.

The Group's Human Resource Department presented the preparation, philosophy, execu- tion and results of the first Men- toring circuit set up in the com- pany within the Talent Program to the 6th Edition of the AEDIPE- HUMAN Awards for Innovation in Human Resources.

In our Mentoring Program there are currently several pairs of mentors and mentees par- ticipating, who are placing em- phasis, through mutual advice, on the development of spe- cific competences captured in their development plans.

The novelty and specific char- acteristics of the Mentoring program are based on the di- versity and absolute separation of duties between mentor and

16 news grupo antolin · june 2005

mentee, thereby helping the program to focus on the deve- lopment of personal skills be- yond the technical or develop- mental approach to theore- tical or formative aspects re- ceived by the person so far.

The way to understand MEN- TORING at Grupo Antolin is very special: two people that belong to the organisation without there being any func- tional or hierarchical relation- ship between them and with different personal and profes- Workshop sional competences establish a series of periodic meetings over the course of 6 months, in with which the employee with the role of MENTOR offers their managers knowledge, skills, and experi- ence to another employee, the from Grupo MENTEE, a person that has been identified as having Antolin The specific outcome of the enough potential to continue day's work was the defining to advance further in their Pro- of personalised plans for im- fessional Development. This provement for each of our program responds well to the On 12th May at the Palace of companies with a view to cultural restlessness to encour- Saldañuela (Sarracín-Burgos) a favouring improvement and age internal communication meeting was held with all the strengthening their weak between diverse areas and/or Plant Managers from Grupo our business objectives. Fol- points over the next few years. departments, companies, tech- Antolin for the purposes of defin- lowing this, Mª Hélène Antolin Our Chief Executive, Mr José nical centres, and also the fur- ing the work strategies for the pe- (DEOM Manager) talked Manuel Temiño, closed the ther need to manage the Diver- riod 2005 - 2008 for everything about the new organisation of conference by encouraging sity in which our company is related to Total Quality and Im- the area she is in charge of those present to continue to moving, to extend the provement Operations. and introduced the work plan work to improve our proce- prospects of our people, be- for the rest of the conference. dures and increase our eco- come better acquainted with The Conference was opened nomic efficiency. Worthy of one another and share our dif- by our Chairman, Mr José An- The remainder of the day was mention is the magnificent ferent cultures. Concepts such tolin, who insisted on the idea spent with the plant Ma- work carried out by all the as creativity, common sense, of IMPROVEMENT as an es- nagers analysing, in various Managers at the meeting and the courage to make an idea re- sential requirement of our workshops, the state of the their interest in becoming per- al and "bring it down to earth", Group, along with the impor- management systems in each sonally enriched by the views the transfer of skills from some tance of inspiring those colla- of Grupo Antolin's companies of the other people attending individuals to others, the con- borating with us to achieve and territories. the conference. viction that there is already enough talent inside the com- pany to liberate and share with our colleagues, without always seeking for external advice...This has all contributed to making it possible for the program of which we are the driving force, to be awarded the much-de- served CONSOLATION PRIZE for Innovation in Human Re- sources, as mentioned in the emotional prize-giving speech on 19th April in Madrid.

june 2005 · news grupo antolin 17

On the road 2002 and January 2003, so towards that as far as the Deployment of Six Sigma projects is con- Six Sigma cerned, they have already ac- cumulated over two years ex- nd Continued from pages 12 and 13 perience. It is worth dra- 2 Congress on On 6th April at Grupo An- wing attention to the huge tolin's head office a ceremony effort invested by the First Excellence and Quality was held that was of great sig- Wave of Black Belts, who nificance to the Group's De- were pioneers in the develop- in Castilla y León ployment of Six Sigma: the ment of projects using Six Graduation Ceremony of the Sigma methodology, and Third Business Green Belts have now moved on to car- On 7th and 8th April 2005, the Wave of Black Belts and ry out other activities within 2nd Congress on Excellence and Green Belts and the presenta- the Group. Quality in Castilla y León was tion of Certificates to the First held in the city of Ávila with culture of Excellence as a ba- Wave of Black Belts. We would like to take the op- the slogan:"Modernisation and sic factor for success. Grupo portunity to offer our con- Competitiveness: our commit- Antolin also participated with As we have often reported, gratulations to all the award- ment to society". This second the paper entitled "Deploying the Third Wave of Business ed and to thank all those that edition of the conference was Six Sigma at Grupo Antolin", Green Belts, Black Belts and attended the Ceremony, chaired by Grupo Antolin. in which Susana Quintano ex- Green Belts underwent train- which was presented by Mª plained to those present the ing between September 2004 Hélène Antolin (Manager of The Congress started with the process followed in setting up and January 2005, and are the DEOM) and enjoyed the words of Mª Hélène Antolin and monitoring the Six Sig- now in the middle of develop- collaboration of José Manuel outlining the importance of ma methodology in the ing their Six Sigma projects. Temiño (Chief Executive Offi- these meetings to spread the Group. cer) and Fernando Dal-Re The First Wave of Black Belts, (Chief Human Resources Of- on the other hand, were ficer), who helped to give the trained between September graduates and certificates. Acknowledgements

Apart from the people specifically mentioned on these pages, we would like to thank the following for their collaboration: Pablo Baroja, Rafael Martin (DOAAP), Mónica Calzada, Susana Sancho, Nuncha Marañón (DIM), Maite Sadornil ((Medical Department Grupo Antolin-Burgos), Berta Fernández, Susana Quintano (DEOM), Ana I Solas, Pablo Tamayo (Dept. Human Resources), Frantisek Hejlik (GA Turnov).

18 news grupo antolin · june 2005

Gran Zarcillo de Oro The Burgos families Antolin and Arranz Acinas, with ties to Bodegas Imperiales ever since “Abadía de San Quirce Reserva “The wines of Ribera del its foundation, take great 1999, a long-lasting resilient wine Duero win all the major pleasure in announcing the to try, with a fully integrated Zarcillo awards” award of the 2005 'Gran taste of wood, and an exuber- Zarcillo de Oro' to the wine ance of fruit, with quite a high percentage of alcohol, although Abadía de San Quirce Reser- this is offset by its acidity” va 1999.

“San Quirce and Rodero, Winners of the 2005 Gran Zarcillo de Oro awards”

The Chairman of the Board presents the prize to Daniel Aguirre, manager of Bodegas Imperiales. “The winners are the wines of Ribera del Duero, Almansa and Jerez”

The regional minister for Agriculture, José Valín (centre), and the manager of the Enological Station, Pascual Herrera (right), during the ceremony for the 2005 Zarcillo awards

“Castilla y León obtains 52 of the 145 Zarcillo Awards for Wine”

june 2005 · news grupo antolin 19

HEALTH

¡Careful whit the SUN!

Moderate exposure to the sun can be pleasant, but too much can be dangerous, since the ultraviolet rays can lead to painful sunburn. They can also cause more serious side effects, including skin cancer, premature ageing of the skin and other skin ailments; as well as causing cataracts and other problems with your sight, and inhibition of the immune system. Children are particularly vulnerable to the dangers of the sun, since most people that are over-exposed to the sun are still under 18 years of age.

Sunburn appears as a result of being over- exposed to the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun. Although the symptoms are usually only temporary (such as redness of the skin, which is painful to the touch), damage to the skin is often permanent, with serious long-term effects on health, including skin cancer.

It should be remembered that there is no such thing as the so-called “healthy tan”. Exposure to the sun without protec- tion causes premature ageing of the skin.

Exposure to the sun can lead to first and second degree burns.

Skin cancer normally appears in adult- hood, but is caused by exposure to the sun and sunburn that originated in childhood.

20 news grupo antolin · june 2005

The inner contents of Aloe Vera provide a natural balm for our skin

First aid

· Provide baths, or cold showers, or apply cold, wet compresses to the burn for 10 to 15 minutes, several times a day. To al- leviate the pain, bicarbonate of soda can be added to the water. (Young children can suffer from cold very quickly, so the water should be kept warm).

· Apply a lotion to soothe the skin.

Factors that make · Aloe vera gel is a common household re- medy for sunburn. Aloe contains active sunburn more likely compounds that help to relieve pain and inflammation of the skin.

Young infants and children are particu- · Medication such as acetaminophen or larly sensitive to the effects of the sun. Peo- ibuprofen may be given for the pain with- ple with white skin are more likely to suf- out a doctor's prescription. fer from sunburn, but even dark or black skin can burn and needs to be protect- Aspirin should NOT be given to children. ed. The sun's rays are stronger during the hours between 10.00 am and 4.00 pm, and also at higher altitudes and lati- tudes closer to the Tropics. The burn may be exacerbated by the reflection of the Don'ts sun's rays on the water, sand or snow. Sun lamps can also cause serious burns. Cer- DO NOT apply vaseline, benzocaine or li- tain medicines (such as the antibiotic dox- docaine, or butter to sunburn, since these icicline) can make the person more suscep- make the symptoms worse and can pre- tible to the sun's rays. vent healing.

DO NOT wash the burnt skin with strong Prevention soap.

Symptoms We recommend avoiding exposure to the sun during the hours when the sun's rays The first symptoms of sunburn may not are strongest. Protective sun cream should appear for several hours and the over- Should the doctor be applied generously with an SPF (sun all effect may not be obvious for ano- be called? protection factor) of at least 30, particu- ther 24 hours or even later. Amongst the larly on the face, nose, ears and shoulders. possible symptoms are the following: A doctor should be called at once if there It is advisable to apply sun protection 30 · Sensitive, red skin, warm to the touch. are signs of shock, heat exhaustion, dehy- minutes before exposure to the sun so that dration or any other serious reaction. it can penetrate the skin properly and then · Blisters that develop within a few hours, Such signs include: apply it again after swimming and every 2 or a few days later. · Feeling faint or dizzy hours for as long as you are outside in · Fast pulse rate or rapid breathing (panting) the open air. · Severe reactions (sometimes known as · Extreme thirst, failure to urinate or “sun poisoning”), including fever, shi- sunken eyes It is recommended that a hat be worn. SPF vering, nausea or rashes. · Pale, cold or wet skin clothes and swimsuits are also available. · Painful eyes and sensitivity to light Sunglasses should be used with UV pro- · Several days after suffering from sun- · Nausea, fever, shivering or rash tection. And also lip salve, with a sun- burn, the burnt skin may start to peel. · Large, sore blisters screen for the lips.

june 2005 · news grupo antolin 21

ON THE WAY MagicPrague

Prague is one of those important European cities that, as traditional metropolises, are attributed a magic significance. A large part of this significance is due to the location of the Prague basin, a crossroads and trade route since time immemorial.

Prague In the second half of the 9th century was UNESCO List of protection of Cultural and founded the castle of Prague, under whose National World Heritage sites. protection the various settlements devel- oped independently from their environ- On the city's coat of arms can be read: "Pra- ment, to become, over the course of time, ga caput regni", and quite rightly so, for ever Geography of Prague the four towns of the city of Prague: the Old since it was founded, Prague has always The city is located on both banks of the Town, already known before 1280 as “the played a very important role in the history of River Vltava, in the region of Bohemia. It head of the realm)” (caput regni) and the the nation, the country and of Europe. has a surface area of 496 sq.km. The capital of the Czech kingdom; the Lesser distance as the crow flies from Prague to Town; the New Town and the City of the Since the Middle Ages, Prague has been the three seas is roughly the same: 365 Castle (Hradcany). The capital of the Czech famous for being one of the most beauti- km to the Baltic Sea, 495 km to the Republic is the most valuable urban site of ful cities in the world and has been described North Sea and 490 km to the Adriatic. historical monuments in the whole country. as the “golden city", the “city of the hun- Population There are currently around In 1992, the 866 hectares that make up the dred towers", the “crown of the world" 1,250,000 inhabitants. historic centre of the city became part of the or the “dream of stone". Important figu- Climate A very marked, pleasant Continental climate, hot in summer and icy cold in winter. October and November are usually very wet and the height of winter there can be incredibly heavy snowfalls (in winter the temperature always hovers around freezing and the snow can stay for many weeks at a time). Language Czech. Currency Czech koruna (1€ = 31,82 Czech koruna)

Interesting links • http://www.prague-tourist-information.com • http://www.visitczech.cz

22 noticias grupo antolin · junio 2005 Cesky Krumlov

res have paid homage to Prague over the cen- of weapons, furniture, paintings and ancient turies. The likes of W. A. Mozart, L. tapestries. Beethoven, G. Apollinaire, P.I.Tchaikovsky, F.M. Dostoyevsky, A. Rodin, O. Kokoschka, and The castle of Krivoklat. The first news of more recently, Queen Elizabeth II. Prague re- this royal castle dates back to the year 1100. presents a single site of historical monuments The castle of Cesky Sternberk, located on dominated by the Castle, whose towers rise the River Sazava with its rich stucco decora- above the city. tion and an extraordinary exhibition of weapons. The square, founded in the 12th century, has witnessed countless historical events. Loca- Three cities nearby are also worthy of our ted next to the Town Hall in the Old Town and attention on our trip around the area sur- the Temple of Our Lady of Tyn, the square has rounding Prague: Kutna Hora, Cesky Krumlov several other buildings that also stand out such and Karlovy Vary. as the Baroque church of Saint Nicholas; the Prague Castle Rococo palace of the Kinski family, home of In the Middle Ages, thanks to its rich silver The castle began construction the pictorial collection of the National Gallery; mines, Kutna Hora became the second most on its present site in the 9th the House of the Stone Bell, whose rooms are important city in the kingdom of Bohemia af- century. It is currently the seat currently used as a municipal centre for ex- ter Prague. It is here that we find some extraor- of the Presidency of the Czech Republic and is considered to hibitions and concerts; or the monument to dinary Gothic monuments, particularly the be the historical and political the religious reformer, Juan Hus. temple of Saint Barbara, one of the most centre of both city and state. beautiful Gothic Czech buildings, the Royal On 21st June 1621, the square witnessed the Mint, where the famous coins known as execution of 27 Czech aristocrats, in whose "gros" were minted, the House of Stone, the memory 27 crosses were engraved on the church of St Jacob. The city of Kutna Hora is pavement. one of the monuments listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Not very far from this spot can be seen the meridian that passes through Prague. The Mediaeval city of Cesky Krumlov, in the beautiful countryside of Southern Bohemia, The Town Hall was founded in 1338. In 1364, known as "the pearl of Bohemia”, retains the tower was added to the chapel and in its Mediaeval appearance. The city's old town 1470 the building was reconstructed in the was registered in 1992 in the list of monu- Gothic style. The east wing of the Town Hall ments as a World Heritage Site under the aus- was destroyed on 8th May 1945 and has yet pices of UNESCO. The city has two extraor- to be re-built. Another of Prague's great at- dinary monuments: the castle and the Goth- tractions is its wide range of cultural offerings: ic church of St Vitus. theatres, a large number of concerts at any time of the year, the well-known, unique Karlovy Vary is a well-know spa town in west- “Black Light Theatre”, the marquees set up in ern Bohemia that became famous in the Mid- the Main Square for all kinds of fairs…i.e. dle Ages thanks to the discovery of the hot ther- for anything so as not to get bored. mal springs, used for therapeutic purposes. Charles Bridge This is the oldest bridge in Prague. Its statues and archi- If you want to go shopping, there's no bet- These are just some of the wonders that tecture mostly date back to ter place than the centre of the city, where you await us if we visit the soul of the Czech Re- the 18th century. The bridge will find original gifts like puppets, the famous public. Only once our trip is over can we is 515 metres in length and Bohemian glass, and shops devoted to the complete the list. 10 metres in width. sale of amber.

Not very far from the capital are a large num- ber of castles that are highly recommended The astronomical for a visit. Clock at the Town Hall The Mediaeval castle of Karlstein, built be- This dates back to the begin- ning of the 15th century and tween 1348 and 1355 during the reign of when the clock chimes out Charles IV to guard over the crown jewels and the hours, the procession of other objects and state documents. twelve apostles appears in a window located at the top. At the bottom, there are 12 The Palace of Konopiste, Gothic in style dat- medallions with the signs of th th ing back to the 14 century, re-built in the 19 the zodiac. century, and home to extraordinary collections

june 2005 · news grupo antolin 23 SPAIN Grupo Antolin (Head Office) Grupo Antolin- Alava Grupo Antolin- Ara Grupo Antolin- Aragusa Grupo Antolin- Ardasa Grupo Antolin -Autotrim Grupo Antolin- Dapsa Grupo Antolin- Euroepsilon Grupo Antolin- Eurotrim Grupo Antolin- Ingenieria Grupo Antolin- Linara Grupo Antolin- Martorell Grupo Antolin- Navarra Grupo Antolin- Palencia Grupo Antolin- PGA Grupo Antolin- Plasbur Grupo Antolin- RyA

ARGENTINA Irauto

GERMANY Grupo Antolin- Autoform Grupo Antolin- Deutschland Grupo Antolin- Logistik Deutschland

BRAZIL Intertrim Iramec Trimtec

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PORTUGAL Grupo Antolin- Lusitania

UNITED KINGDOM Grupo Antolin- Kent Grupo Antolin- U.K.

CZECH REPUBLIC Grupo Antolin- Bohemia Grupo Antolin- Turnov

USA Grupo Antolin- Kentucky Grupo Antolin- Louisiana Grupo Antolin- Michigan Grupo Antolin- North America Grupo Antolin- Wayne

MEXICO Grupo Antolin- Silao

CHINA Agency in Shanghai Antolin Shanghai Autoparts Chongqing Antolin Tuopu Overhead Systems (JV)

INDIA Krishna GrupoAntolin Grupo Antolin -Pune (Desing Centre) Grupo Antolin- Pune

IRAN (Technology License)

JAPAN Grupo Antolin- Japan

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THAILAND (Technology License)

TURKEY Ototrim