- Company’s global leadership discussed supply base’s critical role in FCA’s continued success, plans to improve supplier relationships and the Company’s quality goals
- Eighteen awards presented for extraordinary performance in 2014
FCA US LLC celebrated its best and brightest suppliers yesterday at the Company’s annual awards event held at Sound Board at MotorCity Hotel. Now in its fifth year, the awards event recognizes suppliers that have shown extraordinary commitment in key areas such as quality, innovation, continuous improvement and the Company’s Foundational Principles.
Purchasing leaders Tom Finelli, Head of North America Group Purchasing, FCA US, and Scott Garberding, Head of Group Purchasing, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. (FCA), addressed an audience of more than 1,000, discussing the event’s theme – “Quality Makers: Design a Better Way.”
“It is extremely important to us to celebrate the achievements of our suppliers,” said Finelli. “Their success is our success. Our goal is to cultivate a thriving, innovative supply base that shares our values and can grow alongside us.”
Other FCA leaders, including Mark Chernoby, Chief Operating Officer Product Development, Head of Product Portfolio Management and Head of Quality, FCA, and Olivier François, Chief Marketing Officer and CEO, FIAT Brand, FCA, also spoke to the group.
The Qualitas Awards recognize both production and nonproduction suppliers that not only demonstrate operational excellence, but that also demonstrate strong corporate values with leadership in areas such as diversity, innovation and sustainability. The 2014 FCA US Qualitas Award recipients are:
- Supplier of the Year – HS R&A (HWASEUNG RUBBER & AUTOMOTIVE)
- Foundational Principles Award (Indirect) – Hanwha
- Foundational Principles Award (Direct) – US Farathane
- Metallic Quality Supplier of the Year – Prime Wheel Corporation
- Electrical Quality Supplier of the Year – Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America
- Powertrain Quality Supplier of the Year – F.C.C.
- Chemical Quality Supplier of the Year – Bridgestone
- MOPAR Quality Supplier of the Year – NSI
- Capital Equipment Quality Supplier of the Year – GROB
- Services Quality Supplier of the Year – RR Donnelley
- Diversity Supplier Development Supplier of the Year – Barton Malow Company and Johnson Controls, Inc.
- Sustainability Supplier of the Year – Continental Automotive Guadalajara Mexico S.A. de C.V.
- Tooling Supplier of the Year – HS Die & Engineering, Inc.
- Supply Chain Management Supplier of the Year – Vari-Form
- Logistics Supplier of the Year – Hansen & Adkins Auto Transport
- Technical Cost Reduction Supplier of the Year – Johnson Controls, Inc.
- Innovation Supplier of the Year – Alpine Electronics, Inc.
Award recipients were determined based on an evaluation of each company’s External Balanced Scorecard performance in 2014 – a rating system that evaluates supplier performance in areas such as quality, delivery, cost, warranty and partnership – and input from FCA senior leadership. Suppliers were able to nominate themselves to be considered for the Innovation, Sustainability and Diversity Supplier Development award categories. Awards for Supplier of the Year and adherence to FCA Foundational Principles were added this year. Winners received a trophy that was custom designed and crafted by FCA vehicle designers.
