Tenneco Six Sigma to Weather Economic Storm

Tenneco is implementing aggressive actions to adjust its operating expenses, lower working capital requirements, and improve workforce productivity. The company will use Six Sigma and lean methods to accelerate operational efficiency. ...

... "Accelerate working capital improvement opportunities; Implement targeted reductions in capital spending; Step up its Six Sigma and Lean manufacturing initiatives to drive greater manufacturing efficiencies and costs savings; Significantly reduce and re-prioritize information technology (IT) spending; " ...

Via Tenneco: AGGRESSIVE ACTIONS TO SIZE ITS GLOBAL OPERATIONS TO CHANGING MARKET CONDITIONS

Global Manufacturing Competition: Lean versus Labor ...

Tenneco plants in China and US are compared to illustrate the global competitive landscape in manufacturing ...

... "To boost productivity, Tenneco's Litchfield facility also tries to work smarter. It bristles with evidence of the latest efficiency techniques: Lean Production, Six Sigma, Continuous Improvement. Workers take an active interest in reducing bottlenecks. " ...

Via CNN: A tale of two factories ...

Lean Six Sigma Maintains Tenneco Margins ...

Tenneco maintains its profit margins with help from Lean Six Sigma programs ...

... "The company's gross margin was 18.7%, relatively flat quarter-over quarter, despite the negative impact from higher steel costs and fuel surcharges on transportation costs. These factors offset savings and improved efficiencies from Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma and other cost reduction initiatives.

Total steel cost increases in the fourth quarter were $35 million, which were largely offset by the company's cost reduction efforts, including SGA&E restructuring savings, material cost savings, Six Sigma program savings and Lean manufacturing efficiencies as well as partial steel cost recovery from OE and aftermarket customers. Based on the company's efforts to offset increased steel costs and trends in the steel market, the company doesn't currently anticipate a significant year-over-year impact on operating results in 2006. " ...

Lean Six Sigma Maintains Tenneco Margins: Via Tenneco: TENNECO REPORTS SOLID FOURTH QUARTER EARNINGS AND STRONG OPERATING CASH FLOW: Company Forecasts $1 Billion in OE Business Growth in 2007 ...

Tenneco is a $4.4 billion manufacturing company with headquarters in Lake Forest, Illinois and approximately 19,000 employees worldwide. Tenneco is one of the world's largest designers, manufacturers and marketers of emission control and ride control products and systems for the automotive original equipment market and the aftermarket. Tenneco markets its products principally under the Monroe, Walker, Gillet and Clevite Elastomer brand names. Among its products are Sensa-Trac and Monroe Reflex shocks and struts, Rancho shock absorbers, Walker Quiet-Flow mufflers, Dynomax performance exhaust products, and Clevite Elastomer noise, vibration and harshness control components.

Lean SixSigma Supports Tenneco Margins ...

Tenneco is reaping benefits from lean manufacturing and Six Sigma to manage operational efficiency and support margins. ...

Lean SixSigma Supports Tenneco Margins: Via Tenneco Automotive: TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE REPORTS RECORD THIRD QUARTER REVENUE AND NET INCOME ...

... "The company's gross margin decreased 1.2 percentage points year-over-year to 18.9%. Gross margin was negatively impacted by higher steel costs, fuel surcharges on transportation costs and a shifting business mix between Europe and North America, and between OE and aftermarket businesses. Additionally, resolution of the OE customer issue mentioned above reduced gross margin. These factors offset savings and improved efficiencies from Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma and other cost reduction initiatives. Total steel cost increases in the third quarter were $33 million, which were largely offset by the company's cost reduction efforts, including SGA&E restructuring savings, material cost savings, Six Sigma program savings and Lean manufacturing efficiencies as well as steel cost recovery from OE and aftermarket customers. Based on the company's efforts to offset increased steel costs and trends in the steel market, the company doesn't currently anticipate a significant year-over-year impact on operating results through the remainder of 2005. " ...

Tenneco Lean Six Sigma Operational Efficiency

Tenneco Lean Six Sigma Operational Efficiency: TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE REPORTS STRONG SECOND QUARTER OPERATING RESULTS ...

... "Our strategies for generating top-line growth and cash continue to be effective despite difficult and volatile market conditions," said Mark P. Frissora, chairman and CEO, Tenneco Automotive. We are also benefiting from our intense focus on managing costs and improving operational efficiency through Lean and Six Sigma. In addition, our balance in terms of products, markets, customers and vehicle platform mix gives us a competitive edge and continues to drive our progress." ...

Tenneco Automotive is a $4.2 billion manufacturing company with headquarters in Lake Forest, Illinois and approximately 18,400 employees worldwide. Tenneco Automotive is one of the world's largest designers, manufacturers and marketers of emission control and ride control products and systems for the automotive original equipment market and the aftermarket. Tenneco Automotive markets its products principally under the Monroe®, Walker®, Gillet® and Clevite® Elastomer brand names. Among its products are Sensa-Trac® and Monroe Reflex® shocks and struts, Rancho® shock absorbers, Walker® Quiet-Flow® mufflers, Dynomax® performance exhaust products, and Clevite® Elastomer noise, vibration and harshness control components.

Six Sigma Driven Restructuring ...

Six Sigma Driven Restructuring: Tenneco Automotive Delivers Record Fourth Quarter and Full Year ...

From PR Newswire (press release) ... with price recovery from our customers, and by continuing to lower our costs and improve manufacturing efficiency through Lean and Six Sigma programs." Tenneco ...

... Tenneco Automotive (NYSE: TEN) reported a fourth quarter loss of $21 million, or 49-cents per diluted share, versus a net loss of $2 million, or 4-cents per diluted share, in fourth quarter 2003. Adjusted for the items below, fourth quarter net income increased to $8 million, or 17-cents per diluted share, compared with net income of $2 million, or 6-cents per diluted share a year ago. ...

Tenneco Automotive is a $4.2 billion manufacturing company with headquarters in Lake Forest, Illinois and approximately 18,800 employees worldwide. Tenneco Automotive is one of the world's largest designers, manufacturers and marketers of emission control and ride control products and systems for the automotive original equipment market and the aftermarket. Tenneco Automotive markets its products principally under the Monroe(R), Walker(R), Gillet(R) and Clevite(R)Elastomer brand names. Among its products are Sensa-Trac(R) and Monroe Reflex(R) shocks and struts, Rancho(R) shock absorbers, Walker(R) Quiet-Flow(R) mufflers, Dynomax(R) performance exhaust products, and Clevite(R)Elastomer noise, vibration and harshness control components.

Six Sigma Quality Delivers: Tenneco Automotive Reports Record Revenue and Improved Earnings

From PR Newswire (press release) ... Restructuring activities in the quarter generated $4 million in savings and Six Sigma quality programs delivered $8 million in savings. ...

Six Sigma quality initiatives can deliver operational efficiences in the automotive industry ...

... Tenneco Automotive (NYSE: TEN) reported third quarter net income of $6 million, or 14-cents per diluted share, versus net income of $4 million, or 10-cents per diluted share in third quarter 2003. EBIT (earnings before interest, taxes and minority interest) for the quarter was $44 million versus $38 million a year ago. EBITDA (EBIT before depreciation and amortization) was $86 million, compared with $78 million in third quarter 2003. ...

Tenneco Automotive is a $3.8 billion manufacturing company with headquarters in Lake Forest, Illinois and approximately 19,200 employees worldwide. Tenneco Automotive is one of the world's largest designers, manufacturers and marketers of emission control and ride control products and systems for the automotive original equipment market and the aftermarket. Tenneco Automotive markets its products principally under the Monroe(R), Walker(R), Gillet(R) and Clevite(R)Elastomer brand names. Among its products are Sensa-Trac(R) and Monroe Reflex(R) shocks and struts, Rancho(R) shock absorbers, Walker(R) Quiet-Flow(R) mufflers, Dynomax(R) performance exhaust products, and Clevite(R)Elastomer noise, vibration and harshness control components.

Six Sigma Operational Efficiency: Tenneco Automotive Reports Record Revenue and Earnings

From PR Newswire (press release) ... Six Sigma initiatives generated $7 million in savings and the company realized $3 million in savings from Project Genesis restructuring activities. ...

Tenneco Automotive is a $3.8 billion manufacturing company with headquarters in Lake Forest, Illinois and approximately 19,200 employees
worldwide. Tenneco Automotive is one of the world's largest designers, manufacturers and marketers of emission control and ride control products and systems for the automotive original equipment market and the aftermarket. Tenneco Automotive markets its products principally under the Monroe(R), Walker(R), Gillet(R) and Clevite(R)Elastomer brand names. Among its products are Sensa-Trac(R) and Monroe Reflex(R) shocks and struts, Rancho(R) shock absorbers, Walker(R) Quiet-Flow(R) mufflers, Dynomax(R) performance exhaust products, and Clevite(R)Elastomer noise, vibration and harshness control components.

Six Sigma Operational Efficiency: Tenneco Automotive Grows Revenue and Improves Operational Profit

From PR Newswire (press release) ... Six Sigma programs generated $5 million in savings toward a 2004 goal of $20 million and the company realized $6 million in incremental savings from ...

Tenneco Automotive is a $3.8 billion manufacturing company with headquarters in Lake Forest, Illinois and approximately 19,200 employees worldwide. Tenneco Automotive is one of the world's largest designers,
manufacturers and marketers of emission control and ride control products and systems for the automotive original equipment market and the aftermarket. Tenneco Automotive markets its products principally under the Monroe(R), Walker(R), Gillet(R) and Clevite(R)Elastomer brand names. Among its products are Sensa-Trac(R) and Monroe Reflex(R) shocks and struts, Rancho(R) shock absorbers, Walker(R) Quiet-Flow(R) mufflers, Dynomax(R) performance exhaust products, and Clevite(R)Elastomer noise, vibration and harshness control components.