Siemens acquires simulation supplier CD-adapco

Siemens has acquired simulation software supplier CD-adapco for $970 million, expanding its portfolio for industry software and sharpening its focus on growth in digital business. CD-adapco’s engineering simulation software covers a range of engineering disciplines, and on average, increased its revenue by more than 12% annually throughout the past three fiscal years. Siemens expects continued growth in the future.

CD-adapco has more than 3,200 customers worldwide, and its software is used by 14 of the 15 largest carmakers; by all of the top 10 suppliers to the aerospace industry; and 9 of the 10 largest manufacturers in the energy and marine sectors. The company is headquartered in Melville, New York, and has 40 locations worldwide. CD-adapco will be integrated into the product lifecycle management (PLM) software business of Siemens’ Digital Factory (DF) Division. www.siemens.com

HANNOVER MESSE to feature subcontracing themes, strong US presence

The Industrial Supply show, one of five parallel trade shows to be held at HANNOVER MESSE April 25-29, 2016, in Hannover, Germany, will focus on innovative subcontracting solutions and lightweight construction. Exhibitor registrations for the three Industrial Supply halls (4, 5, and 6) already exceed the high levels recorded in last year’s planning cycle. Particularly strong growth has come from the United States, the 2016 partner country, with 40 exhibitors – a quadrupling of 2015’s presence at the show. For 2016, Hall 4 will feature two industrial subcontracting heavyweights: the forging and sheet metal forming industries. Hall 5 will showcase the German foundry industry’s Gegossene Technik (casting technology) pavilion. Hall 6 will be the heart of the lightweight construction showcase, featuring the full range of lightweight solutions for all industries. www.hannovermesse.de

EPA awards three Honda plants Energy Star certification

For the 10th consecutive year, two of Honda’s Ohio automobile manufacturing plants have earned the EPA’s Energy Star certification, while Honda Manufacturing of Indiana achieved the designation for the fourth year in a row. The certification signifies that the facilities perform in the top 25% of similar facilities nationwide for energy efficiency and meet strict energy efficiency performance levels set by the EPA. On average, Energy Star certified plants consume 35% less energy and contribute 35% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than similar non-certified operations.

The plants in Marysville and East Liberty, Ohio, have previously earned nine consecutive Energy Star certifications, but continued to find innovative ways to conserve energy in 2015. For example, the Marysville location incorporated LED lighting and high-efficiency heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, and introduced tow motors and forklifts powered by nitrogen fuel cells that reduce propane emissions. The East Liberty plant installed LED lighting and replaced a large water heater with a high-efficiency one. The Greensburg, Indiana, location continued its goal of energy efficiency by transitioning to LED high-bay lighting in 2015. www.honda.com

Fiat Chrysler names consumer safety advocate

Kristen Kreibich, a former production supervisor who has worked closely with safety regulators, has become Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA)’s first safety advocate.

The position of safety advocate is being added to FCA’s Vehicle Safety and Regulatory Compliance group, an organization that was restructured in 2014 to streamline critical decision-making. In slightly more than one year, the number of vehicle-safety personnel in the organization has more than doubled.

Kreibich will be responsible for promoting greater awareness of vehicle and occupant safety – internally with FCA US employees, and externally with regulators, industry observers, and trade associations. In addition to highlighting FCA’s safety engineering achievements, she will share her insights about proposed legislation and the evolution of the safety landscape.

In her previous position, Kreibich’s duties included working with organizations such as the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS). Kreibich joined the company in 1995 as a production supervisor. www.fcausllc.com

Daimler investing in FCCC’s South Carolina operations

Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) is investing $22.7 million in Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp (FCCC) to expand facilities and improve operations in, Gaffney, South Carolina. The investment will add a new logistics center and expand office space, the employee parking lot, and chassis parking and loading/delivery operations. The investment will drive implementation of a line-side delivery process which will use nearly 60% more component kitting.

“The investment shows our commitment to the employees in Gaffney, our customers, and to the future of FCCC,” says David Carson, president, Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp. “The leadership team at DTNA wants to ensure we have the tools and facilities we need to continue delivering the best chassis for all of our customers across all of our product lines.” www.freightlinerchassis.com