Four awards recognising excellence in logistics and supply chain management have been handed out by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) in Detroit, Michigan as part of the OEM’s sixth annual Qualitas awards for North American suppliers.
FCA said the 23 awards recognised both production and non-production suppliers that not only demonstrated operational excellence but also had strong corporate values in areas such as diversity, innovation and sustainability.
Finished vehicle carrier Cassens Transport took the Foundational Principles Award: Logistics. The Foundational Principles Awards are given to service suppliers that meet FCA’s stated goals of “integrity, mutual transparency, proactive collaboration, personal accountability, empathy and advocacy, sense of urgency, continuous improvement and long-term mindset”.
“Cassens Transport continues to demonstrate the dedication, commitment and investment required as our largest haul away carrier,” said a spokesperson for FCA. “With a partnership that spans over 70 years, Cassens has been an integral part of the FCA US family through good and bad times by providing exceptional operational and customer service.”
Meanwhile, Ann Arbor Railroad took the award for Innovation: Logistics, for providing improved technology and yard design reconfiguration as well as accommodating FCA’s volume variances in operations between Ann Arbor, Michigan and Toledo, Ohio.
“Ann Arbor’s rail load optimization efforts out of the FCA US Toledo Assembly Complex resulted in a significant improvement in multi-level cube utilization,” said FCA. “Additional systems and yard design improvements eliminated unnecessary double-handling.”
Supply Chain Management Supplier of the Year went to parts supplier Flex-N-Gate. FCA said it was recognised for its strong support in managing the complexities of the stamping commodity group.
“[Flex-N-Gate] managed more than 920 deliveries per month with a perfect delivery score of 100%,” FCA told Automotive Logistics. “The company worked hand-in-hand with FCA US to ensure deliveries were met, even against some stringent scheduling constraints.”
In addition, port processor Amports was recognised by FCA as Logistics Supplier of the Year.
“Today, we honoured those companies that were dedicated to helping us achieve success through teamwork, innovation and an intense focus on quality,” said Scott Thiele (pictured), global purchasing officer for FCA and head of purchasing and supplier quality for FCA – North America. “As FCA continues to grow globally, we want to work with our top supplier partners to bring the highest quality vehicles to drivers across the world.”
Joining Thiele at the awards, which were held at MotorCity Casino Hotel in Detroit, were Ralph Gilles, head of design, FCA – Global; Steve Beahm, senior vice-president – supply chain management, FCA – North America; and Scott Garberding, head of quality, FCA – Global and North America.
The full list of winners is as follows:
Body Quality Supplier of the Year – BroseCapital Equipment Quality Supplier of the Year – Fanuc AmericaChassis Quality Supplier of the Year – Piston AutomotiveElectrical Quality Supplier of the Year – SiriusXMEngine Systems Quality Supplier of the Year – Mann+HummelInterior Quality Supplier of the Year – Summit PolymersMOPAR Quality Supplier of the Year – Trico ProductsPowertrain Quality Supplier of the Year – Guangdong Jongtu TechnologyRaw Materials Quality Supplier of the Year – PPG IndustriesServices Quality Supplier of the Year – XeroxDiversity Supplier Development: Production – HenkelDiversity Supplier Development: Non-production – WalbridgeFoundational Principles Award: Logistics – Cassens TransportFoundational Principles Award: Production – Bridgestone CorporationFoundational Principles Award: Non-production – Snap-on Business SolutionsInnovation: Production – Prime Wheel CorporationInnovation: Logistics – Ann Arbor RailroadLogistics Supplier of the Year – AmportsSupply Chain Management Supplier of the Year – Flex-N-GateSustainability Supplier of the Year – Metalsa SA de CVTechnical Cost Reduction Supplier of the Year – Iroquois IndustriesTooling Analysis Group Supplier of the Year – QCR TechOverall Supplier of the Year – Brose
