01/16/2002 – HASSELT, Belgium

TDS automotive is pleased to announce that both their Emden and Heilbronn facilities are now certified to VDA 6.1.

Emden successfully passed their audit on October 26th, 2001 with a rating of 97%; and Heilbronn successfully passed their audit on January 16th, 2002 with a rating of 98%. The audits were conducted by TÜV Saarland, and the auditor described this certification as "a showcase".

With these certifications all TDS export packing activities for Audi are now operating to the VDA 6.1 standard and are therefore of unquestionable strategic importance. The VDA 6.1 requirements go significantly further than previously implemented Quality System standards.

This achievement does not represent the end of TDS automotive efforts, but rather a stepping stone towards establishing higher standards. In addition, the knowledge and experience gained from this certification will be shared internationally with other TDS automotive plants.