Osram Sylvania Inc (part of Osram Americas in Danvers, MA, USA) has expanded its manufacturing capabilities in Hillsboro, NH (where the firm's automotive lighting division has its principal North American operations, with over 600 staff) by adding the plant's first surface-mount technology (SMT) production line for LED modules.
As what is claimed to be the leading firm globally in automotive lighting for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and the automotive aftermarket, Osram is pushing the transition to LED systems by investing in R&D and production capacities, infrastructure and expertise to support the technology migration. Millions of dollars were invested in the plant for the new ISO class 8 Gray Room. LED modules produced from the new line are already on the road in the 2016 Ford Explorer LED headlamp, with other programs in development for the future.
"Osram invested in industry-leading electronics production equipment in all three global regions to serve our automotive customer base," says David Hulick, global OEM SSL marketing director, Osram Sylvania, during the firm's automotive lighting showcase in the Detroit area, where it displayed its lighting solutions for OEMs and set makers. "Innovative designs and state-of-the-art surface-mount technology lines, such as the new one installed in New Hampshire with tight tolerance LED placement capabilities, make it possible for Osram to deliver the precision, quality and supply that our global customers demand," he adds. "With the implementation of this new production capability in the NAFTA [North American Free Trade Agreement] region, we can better service our local customer base by providing the best local LED lighting production."
Highlights of the automotive lighting showcase were the first LED forward lighting headlamp in a pick-up truck demonstrated on the 2016 Ford F-150, the LED headlamp with the new Hillsboro Osram LED modules in the 2016 Ford Explorer, and adaptive matrix LED headlights in an Audi A7.
"Osram Automotive Lighting provides OEM customers with a portfolio of top-quality interior and exterior lighting solutions, ranging from individual LEDs to standardized LED systems as well as HID systems, auxiliary light sources and advanced halogen products," says Julian Dench, senior VP & general manager, SP Americas Region, Osram Sylvania. "This production facility will allow us to immediately respond to all of our customers' demands as a full-service automotive lighting leader."
Coupled with sister facilities in Europe and Asia, the new North American investment advances Osram's role in automotive electronics through a global quality-controlled (TS16949) automotive electronics manufacturing footprint. According to recent market reports, LED lighting adoption in the automotive category will rise sharply by the end of the decade.
