VW has chosen ArcelorMittal for a new supplier programme that will see greater collaboration between the two companies around vehicle development.
The new initiative –Future Automotive Supply Tracks (FAST) – is the carmaker’s answer to key challenges facing the automotive industry in the form of globalisation and the increasing speed of innovation cycles. It recognises that the supplier network will play a much more significant role in vehicle development at VW.
VW selected suppliers for the new programme using standardised, transparent, and objective criteria. Suppliers were evaluated based on how well they collaborate with the carmaker in terms of innovation, and how well their global strategies fit with VW’s own.
ArcelorMittal was formally nominated a FAST supplier during a ceremony held at VW’s headquarters in March 2016. During the event, Axel Müller, Volkswagen’s purchasing group commodity manager for metal, described ArcelorMittal as a “reliable partner” whose innovations, such as hot-stamping technology, have “helped Volkswagen achieve our car weight targets”.
“I expect that ArcelorMittal’s involvement in FAST will enable us to intensify this cooperation”, he added.
Brian Aranha, executive vice president of ArcelorMittal Automotive, said: “For a long time, Volkswagen has been one of the automotive industry’s key innovators and we are extremely proud to have been selected to participate in the FAST project.
“With our global footprint, extensive product range and dedicated network of automotive research and development facilities, we are well-equipped to continue pushing the boundaries of innovation as a trusted partner of VW”.
Jochen Gruenewald, automotive area manager for ArcelorMittal, added: “This nomination is a very important step in our automotive research programme. We will be able to tune our product development cycle with VW’s milestones for new vehicle development”.
Dr Francisco Javier Garcia Sanz, a member of the Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft management board, said: “I am looking forward to having that dialogue [with our 55 suppliers] to make the partnerships even more efficient and sustainable for both sides”.
