An inside job

Interior suppliers work hard to engineer in greater levels of comfort and technology in a cost-effective and environmentally friendly manner.

The past five years have seen big changes for the automotive supplier community. For those that remain, the commitment to innovative thinking and introduction of new concepts has not abated. One case in point is Inteva Products, borne out of Delphi's interiors and closures division. Ken Gassman, Inteva's Engineering Group Manager, Advanced Development, saw independence from the big corporation provide relief and opportunity.

“There was some restraint in Delphi within enhancing new technology and investment, but since we have been a stand-alone company, the new owners recognize the importance of growth and want to invest,” he explained. Investment comes in the form of Inteva's slush-cast thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO/TPE) skin technology that is used for instrument panels and other vehicle interior surfaces.