Consolidation is king for Delphi Automotive Systems, the world's largest auto supplier as the large supplier is bringing together its spread-out office space onto the campus of its headquarters building in Troy.

Walbridge-Aldinger and the building trades are in the process of building 240,000 square-feet of new space for Delphi, making room for a total of 775 salaried employees from Delphi's Energy & Chassis Systems and Interior Systems divisions from current facilities in Dayton, Ohio, and Warren and Flint, Mich.

"This consolidation project will bring Delphi significant increased operational efficiencies and falls directly in line with our corporate strategy of being a lean organization," said Delphi Chairman, CEO and President J.T. Battenberg III. "We will continue to examine all phases of our business, looking for ways to best serve our customers by improving productivity and reducing the cost of doing business."

Construction of the new two- and three-story buildings adjacent to Delphi's headquarters building, scheduled for completion early next year, will result in a net reduction of 35,000 square feet of office space that Delphi is leasing elsewhere.

"Everything has gone well," said Walbridge-Aldinger Project Manager Pete Smeekens. "After a brutal winter, we're in pretty good shape. The most challenging part of the job is coordinating with the owners, who are in our front yard, and with the neighbors, who are in our back yard." A residential area is not far from the job site.

Situated at Crooks Road and Square Lake Road just east of I-75, the existing two- building Delphi World Headquarters is comprised of a six-story office tower and a one-story high bay/tech building which were completed in August, 1997. The two buildings are separated by a courtyard and outdoor eating area, but are physically linked by two ground level walkways.

OPERATING ENGINEER Mark Brown of Local 324 dumps a bucket of dirt in front of the Delphi headquarters, which is undergoing an expansion.

WRAPPING A supply duct at the Delphi HA is Jonathan Martin of Dependent Insulation and Asbestos Workers Local 25.