For a brief overview of who we are, where we came from, what we do, and what we can do for you check out the information below.

History
Dow Automotive is a leading supplier of plastics, adhesives, sealants, vehicle structure enhancements, acoustical management materials, films and fluids for the global automotive industry, serving tier, OEM and aftermarket customers. The organization was formed as a business group of The Dow Chemical Company in 1988 and in 1999 was named as an industry-focused business unit. At the same time, Essex Specialty Products, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of TDCC was also integrated into the DA organization. In January 2001, Dow Automotive acquired Gurit-Essex AG and its business groups, which like Essex and its other global affiliates has served the automotive industry since 1960.

Organization
The Dow Automotive organization employs nearly 1400 people globally at its world headquarters, European operations, R&D, advanced engineering, sales, technical/customer service and manufacturing facilities. Its world headquarters are located in Auburn Hills, Michigan. Additional personnel are employed in more than 40 cities on six continents at global automotive centers, sales offices and manufacturing facilities throughout Europe, South America, Asia/Pacific, South Africa, India and the Middle East. R&D labs and advanced engineering are located in Auburn Hills and Midland, Michigan, Freeport, Texas and Sarnia, Ontario, Canada.

Dow Automotive contributes to the overall value growth goals of The Dow Chemical Company. Global sales for Dow Automotive are estimated to reach more than $1.5 billion in 2005 through ongoing and new business initiatives.

The organization is led by an automotive leadership team composed of the president and global business leaders for glass/plastic bonding, body engineered sstems, plastics, diversified products and directors in the functional areas of operations, supply chain, R&D, communications and other business support services. Customer account teams interact with product/application development teams and serve as global sales and service focal points.

For a closer look at our leadership team see Executive Profiles

Capabilities
Materials science expertise and a broad range of technical capabilities allow Dow Automotive to deliver innovative solutions to its global customers. The company's advanced engineering capabilities combine design, engineering and materials science skills to deliver solutions that best meet performance, weight and cost requirements to satisfy customers' current and future vehicle program needs. In-house testing and validation, along with program and supply-chain management expertise (including equipment selection and processing method recommendations), allow Dow Automotive to support customers from design through product launch.

Advanced engineering capabilities include design concepts and evaluation, modularization, CAD/CAE, finite element analysis, design optimization through tool and prototype development, processing methodology selection and mold-filling analysis, occupant safety testing and comprehensive application knowledge. Dow Automotive also has relationships with independent labs and customer proving grounds to further evaluate the impact of materials, components and systems in simulated and actual driving conditions.

Find out more in the Capabilities section of this site.

Products
Dow Automotive provides technology and materials-enabled solutions for automotive interior, exterior, powertrain, vehicle structural enhancement, acoustic management, emissions control and aftermarket applications.

As a supplier of plastics, Dow Automotive offers the broadest portfolio to the industry. Its range of products include polypropylene, ABS, polycarbonate, SAN, crystalline polymers, thermoplastic urethanes, adhesive films, engineering plastic blends (like PC/ABS) and polyurethane resins. These materials are used to produce components including interior trim, instrument panels, knee bolsters, glove box/airbag covers, exterior trim, body panels, fascia/lighting surrounds plus sealing, electrical, cooling and fuel systems for powertrain applications.

Dow Automotive also globally sources glass bonding systems, structural adhesives, reinforcing composites, sealer systems, acoustical damping systems, acoustical/structural foams and components, injection-molded cabin-side barriers, emission control devices and a variety of injection-molded under-the-hood engine covers and noise shields.

In addition, Dow Automotive has a significant aftermarket presence through global glass replacement and body repair systems production and distribution networks.

Find out which Dow Automotive Materials are available to best suit your needs.