FAURECIA : Avec CoverTech, Faurecia renforce l’expertise de son centre technique des sièges automobiles dans le domaine des coiffes de sièges

Nanterre, May 10, 2016

Faurecia, one of the world's leading automotive equipment suppliers, has enhanced the expertise of its TechCenter in Brières-les-Scellés (France) with the addition of CoverTech, a new expertise center for automotive seat covers. The new facility has been operational since December 2015.

CoverTech aims to break new ground in the technologies and processes used to design, cut, sew and assemble automotive seat covers, selecting and implementing best practices across all Faurecia development and production sites worldwide. It brings together a multifaceted team of experts specializing in industrial processes and pilot equipment, who will select the best industrial solutions and incorporate increasingly high standards regarding perceived quality of complete seat systems.

The new CoverTech facility will benefit from its proximity to the seat design studio-which works with automakers to explore new trends-along with the comprehensive range of simulation and testing resources available at the site. Its launch follows the successful creation of two other expertise centers in Brières-les-Scellés: FrameTech for seat frames in 2011 and e-Lab for seat electronics in 2012. Both of which have been commended by a wide range of automakers.

The most striking innovation in the past few years has been Cover Carving Technology (CCT), which applies to seat covers-offering greater freedom in terms of style and customization-as well as front seat backs. The Faurecia-patented technology has been adopted by Renault for the Talisman sedan and station wagon, offering three centimeters of extra knee room for rear passengers.

CoverTech will enhance the role of Faurecia Automotive Seating as a comprehensive supplier, bringing improvements in efficiency, quality, flexibility and perceived value.

"Our conventional seat cover business is on the verge of a major transformation that stems from digitizing the process of designing, industrializing and manufacturing. It is driven by a market that demands enhanced seat solutions. CoverTech gives us the means to strengthen our leading position in three areas: perceived quality, affordable innovation and well-being on board," said Jean-Luc Tété, Vice President Comfort & Trim, Faurecia Automotive Seating.

This initiative goes hand in hand with Faurecia's strong growth in designing and manufacturing automotive seating cover solutions. It also reflects the drive to bring solutions and processes to market more quickly to satisfy growing demand from automakers, not just in terms of perceived quality, differentiation and interior customization, but also with regards to efficiency in the various stages involved in development and industrialization.

On April 11, 2016, the Cover Carving Technology won the Automotive News 2016 PACE Award. Dubbed the "Oscars of Innovation", the PACE Awards are presented every year in honor of superior innovation, technological advancement and business performance among automotive suppliers. PACE Award winners are chosen from a shortlist of 30 finalists by a panel of independent judges.

Faurecia is one of the world's largest automotive equipment suppliers with four Business Groups: Automotive Seating, Emissions Control Technologies, Interior Systems and Automotive Exteriors. In 2015, the Group posted total sales of € 20.7 billion. At December 31, 2015, Faurecia employed 103,000 people in 34 countries at 330 sites and 30 R&D centers. Faurecia is listed on the NYSE Euronext Paris stock exchange and trades in the U.S. over-the-counter (OTC) market. For more information, visit: www.faurecia.com