(November 1st, 2018) For the second year in a row, STRATTEC has been recognized as a finalist for the Automotive News PACE Award. The team submitted the Invis-A-Rise™ Power Tailgate System and has been named a finalist of the very prestigious Award - the Premier Automotive Suppliers' Contribution to Excellence Award. It is globally recognized as the industry benchmark for innovation – essentially it is the “Academy Award for Innovation” in the automotive supplier industry.
The Invis-A-Rise™ Power Tailgate System provides the customer with the capability to automatically open or close a truck tailgate and is another “first-to-market” innovation developed by STRATTEC/STRATTEC Power Access. The electro-mechanical system can automatically open and close the tailgate with the touch of a button. The Invis-A-Rise™ Power Tailgate System is also a “smart system” with the ability to stop and/or reverse when obstacles are detected, combining convenience with safety.
Prior to this system’s existence, the user would need to use both hands to either manually open or close the tailgate. This can be a very cumbersome process since the tailgate is large, heavy, and awkward to handle. The Invis-A-Rise™ Power Tailgate System eliminates the need for the user to lift the tailgate and hold its weight while closing and opening it. This customer convenience feature will add to the overall customer satisfaction of the vehicle since it allows for both “hands free” and “effortless” operation of the tailgate. This system includes a drive unit which powers the tailgate open and closed, an electronic control module which controls the functionality of the system, and two power cinch/release latches that automatically lock the tailgate into a fully latched position when closed. This entire system was developed by STRATTEC/STRATTEC Power Access and will definitely be a “game changer” in the OEM truck segment!
In January 2018, the Invis-A-Rise™ Power Tailgate System was introduced at the North American International Auto Show. The first customer to include the Invis-A-Rise™ Power Tailgate System into one of their vehicles is General Motors. The system is featured on the all-new 2019 Chevy Silverado truck. The start of production for the new Silverado was in July 2018 in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Overall, this project was an incredible success. STRATTEC was successful in meeting all of the performance objectives for this product! STRATTEC’s persistence and desire to develop the STRATTEC Invis-A-Rise™ Power Tailgate System drove the team to overcome a variety of engineering challenges resulting in a successful launch and introduction for the GM customer. This is a revolutionary system that will begin to shift the OEM’s and driver’s perspectives on truck tailgates. STRATTEC is predicting all OEM’s will eventually move to the superior STRATTEC Invis-A-Rise™ Power Tailgate System for truck tailgates.