The annual awards, which recognise excellence in the automotive industry, are regarded as a key benchmark of success and were announced at this year's Frankfurt Motor Show. The winners are chosen from across Europe by the editors of Automotive News Europe magazine.
Jason Stein, Automotive News editor and Automotive News Europe Business Director said: "The 2009 Eurostars stand out because they have succeeded while their competitors stumbled. This year's winners have earned their awards by taking risks and refusing to fail.
"Copes' commitment to lean manufacturing, continual improvement and eliminating waste has led Jaguar and Land Rover to improvements in independent quality studies and it is Cope's dedication to quality that makes him our 2009 Eurostar for Manufacturing."
Cope, 55, oversees production at Jaguar Land Rover's three manufacturing sites; Castle Bromwich and Solihull in the West Midlands and Halewood Operations in Merseyside. He joined the company in 2006 as Manufacturing Director for Land Rover Solihull and was appointed Director of Manufacturing for Jaguar Land Rover on 1st September 2008. Cope holds a wealth of manufacturing experience gathered both in the UK and the United States.
On receiving the award, Cope commented "I am delighted to have been named as the 2009 Eurostar for Manufacturing. Jaguar Land Rover's production facilities are steadily gaining a global reputation as centres of excellence for continuous improvement, lean manufacturing and improving quality performance. I see this award as another important benchmark and further external recognition of Jaguar Land Rover's commitment to achieving industry leading production and quality standards."
For more information on the 2009 Eurostar Awards, log onto: www.autonews.com/section/eurostars01
Jaguar Land Rover Contact:
Lucy Reynolds
T: 07801 699928
E: lreyno25@jaguarlandrover.com
W: www.media.landrover.com
or www.jaguar.landrover.com
About Jaguar Land Rover
Jaguar Land Rover is a business built around two great British car brands that design, engineer and manufacture in the UK. Jaguar Cars Limited, founded in 1922, is one of the world's premier manufacturers of luxury saloons and sports cars. Since 1948 Land Rover has been manufacturing authentic 4x4s that define 'breadth of capability' in their segments. The Jaguar XF, XJ and XK models are manufactured at the company's Castle Bromwich plant in Birmingham, while the Jaguar X‑TYPE is produced alongside the Land Rover Freelander 2 at the Halewood plant in Liverpool. Land Rover's Defender, Discovery 3, Range Rover Sport and Range Rover models are all built at the Solihull plant. The Jaguar Land Rover business employs over 14,500 people, predominately in the UK, including some 3,500 engineers at two product development centres in Whitley, Coventry and Gaydon, Warwickshire. The business is a major wealth generator for the UK with 78 percent of Land Rovers exported to over 160 countries and 70 percent of Jaguars exported to over 60 countries, with sales to customers conducted principally through franchised dealers and importers.