JSR, VMI among top Pirelli suppliers

Milan – Pirelli C & SpA has named its top nine suppliers of raw materials, services and machinery, in an annual awards scheme recognising innovation, quality-of-service and sustainability.

Announced 31 Aug, this year’s Pirelli Supplier Awards were particularly focused at sustainability, as the company increased emphasis on this aspect of its purchasing strategy.

In February, the tire maker received supply-chain, sustainable-governance certification UNI ISO 20400 – claiming to be the world’s first ‘automotive company’ to gain this certificate.

Winners of this year’s Pirelli supplier awards include: synthetic rubber maker JSR Corp. for ‘innovation’ and ‘service level’; and VMI for ‘quality’ and ‘global presence’ in its supply of tire-manufacturing equipment.

Textile reinforcements company Glanzstoff Sicrem Spa also received a special sustainability prize as it produces rayon using only cellulose from plantations certified for sustainable agro-forestry management.

Natural rubber suppliers Thai Eastern Innovation Co. Ltd, PT. Kirana Megatara Tbk and PT. Prasidha Aneka Niaga Tbk (Indonesia) were recognised for ‘quality’ and ‘service level’.

The other 2018 award winners were: marketing and communication agency MDM; Appian a supplier of the business process management platform; and logistics services company Warehouse Service Inc.

Pirelli had around 10,000 suppliers for a total expenditure of €3.2 billion in 2017, mainly on raw materials (46%), services (36%), machinery (13%) and consumption materials (3%), according to Matteo Battaini, chief purchasing officer.

Pirelli’s business model, said the purchasing official, is focused on high value, product innovation and process digitalisation.

“It is essential that they [Pirelli suppliers] share values such as innovation, quality, customer care, product and process sustainability and attention to brand value,” Battaini stated.