It’s humbling to consider the efforts so many people put into the development and manufacture of our diesel technology over the past 75 years; all the ideas, the risks and the breakthroughs that generations of workers offered up. Some of those people are with us today – some of them make diesel engines right here in Huntsville, I want to offer my personal thanks to our Huntsville employees. [Jack leads applause for the employees].
And, thanks our employees throughout the world who are not here today but who make our products and serve our customers daily, on four continents.
We would not have achieved our success without their collective efforts. Through the years, they were responsible for the technology and manufacturing advances that made possible engines that offered the highest performance, reliability, durability and fuel-efficiency for our customers.
Our people create our heritage, our success and our future.
For those of you who may not be familiar with our history, Navistar is the direct business descendent of International Harvester. We’ve been designing, engineering and manufacturing engines, vehicles and equipment for more than 100 years.
The Navistar Engine Group story began with a modest 1-horsepower gasoline engine for farm equipment, and now, over a century and 15 million commercial gasoline and diesel engines later, we come to this day.
A day where we recognize where we have been and a day where we take the next step in fulfilling our vision and delivering on our growth strategy, with the dedication of our MaxxForce® Big Bore assembly facility, here at Huntsville. We move from a modest 1 horsepower product a powerful 475 horsepower diesel engine.
Huntsville is the location that will lead us into the future. Alabamians are the people who will secure our success with a great workforce and government structure that support business growth. Thank you Alabama.
This diamond anniversary recognizes that we’ve been in the diesel power business for the past 75 years, launching our first production diesel engine in 1933. In the ensuing years, we have refined the design, capability and cleanliness of diesel emissions. The result is that diesel power is the clean green “Workhorse for Global Commerce”
Businesses recognize the inherent benefits of diesel for industries around the world, up to 30 % more fuel efficient than gasoline engines, more durable and by 2010 will have near zero emissions in the United States.
Over the course of the past 75 years we have served a variety of industries. Our founder, Cyrus McCormick in fact created modern agriculture. Today we provide power for some outstanding world wide equipment makers like Agco, Agrale, Gomselmash and Minsk Tractor Works we know what it takes to power agricultural equipment and we intend to grow our presence in this segment.
Navistar engines as been a leader in the On-Highway truck and bus segment on two continents and powers many well known brands in North and South America. We now serve a blue-chip roster of global automotive leaders, including International Trucks, IC Buses, Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Volkswagen, Nissan, Volvo and Land Rover. Dong Feng, a leading automotive manufacturer in China is manufacturing our product designs for the Far East markets. We know what it takes to power on-highway vehicles and we intend to grow our presence in this segment.
In India, Navistar Engine Group and Mahindra have an engine manufacturing joint venture to power commercial, consumer and off-highway vehicles? We know what it takes to partner with great companies and intent to grow our business with other ventures across the globe.
Our engines power many industrial applications which power the equipment that builds global infrastructure and provide stationary power where ever it is needed in the world. Our customers include great companies like F.G. Wilson and Stemac. We know what it takes to power industrial equipment and we intend to grow our presence in this segment.
Our engines power equipment that serves and protects with our MaxxForce Defense products serving the needs of armed forces and allies across the globe. Our products serve and protect our armed forces and allies across the globe. We know what it takes to power defense vehicles and we intend to grow that segment.
We understand the value of growth in our core markets and are committed to those markets, but we are also committed to emerging markets like China, India, and Eastern Europe. Our strategy is to grow and become a leader beyond North and South America.
Navistar Engine Group is a far different business than a few years ago. We have diversified and expanded our product line, with strategic acquisitions and collaborative product development.
This facility is a result of our collaborative product development strategy with MAN. We are here today to dedicate and celebrate the MaxxForce 11 and 13 Big bore engine, this facility and the workforce that makes it come alive.
The product that will be assembled here in Huntsville will revolutionize the large diesel truck market with a choice. The choice Navistar offers is one that provides real value to customers…
- Outstanding Fuel Economy
- Extreme power to move heavy loads
- Driver comfort with the quietest diesel in the market
- And payload advantage with its high strength design and low weight materials.
I spoke earlier that our people create our heritage, our success and our future. This is something I truly believe.
Because it is our people who know what it takes to power trucks, buses, tractors, generators, industrial equipment and defense vehicles.
So I invite you to the next phase of our program to meet the people who are creating the future of Navistar. These are the experts in diesel technology and manufacturing who will answer your questions as you tour our displays and our assembly area.
Thank you and please enjoy your tour.
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