Five rubber parts makers win GM's supplier award

Detroit, Michigan – General Motors Co. has honoured five companies in the non-tire rubber industry with its Supplier of the Year Award, given to businesses that distinguish themselves "by going above and beyond GM's requirements and providing customers with innovative technologies."

In a 24 June virtual ceremony, GM recognised Dana Inc., Cooper Standard Automotive Inc., Tenneco Powertrain, BASF Corp. (receiving the Overdrive Award) and US Farathane Corp. for delivering quality products to the automotive industry in 2019.

The awards ceremony initially was set to occur at a live event in March, but was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to GM.

"Our suppliers play a key role in delivering the products, services and experiences our customers deserve – and these award-winning suppliers went above and beyond our expectations," said Shilpan Amin, GM vice president of global purchasing and supply chain.

"We also believe it's important, at this point in time, to thank our entire supply base for their efforts the last few months to mitigate the impacts of Covid-19," Amin added. 

"Not only have we been able to safely restart our manufacturing operations, our suppliers played a key role in assisting our initiatives to increase the supply of ventilators and personal protective equipment for front line health care workers to help save lives and keep communities safe."

Recipients of the supplier of the year award included 116 suppliers from 15 countries, with 13 companies winning the award for the first time, GM said.

Northville, Michigan-based Cooper Standard manufactures sealing, fuel and brake delivery and fluid transfer systems for the auto industry. Receiving the supplier of the year award for the third straight year, Cooper Standard was recognised for several of its product lines.

"We are honoured to be recognised again with this prestigious award from General Motors for delivering superior products in two of our core product lines," said Jeffrey Edwards, chairman and CEO of Cooper Standard. "This recognition demonstrates our continued commitment to delivering sustained value through strong customer relationships and innovation."

Maumee, Ohio-based Dana, a provider of power conveyance and energy-management systems for the propulsion of conventional, hybrid and electric-powered vehicles, also received the supplier of the year award for the third straight year. Its most recent recognition was for its work in driveline technologies and powertrain cooling systems.

Tenneco Powertrain, a division of Tenneco Co. based in Lake Forest, Illinois, is a provider of technologies, components and clean air solutions for passenger cars, trucks and off-highway equipment and vehicles. The company also operates in the power generation, aerospace, marine, rail and industrial sectors, according to the company.

US Farathane, based in Sterling Heights, Michigan, develops and manufactures engineered plastics and thermoplastic elastomer products.

BASF earned GM's Overdrive Award, first given in 2012, which recognises supply partners for leadership in cultural change and commitment measures, according to GM.

GM said it was the first automotive OEM to establish a supplier diversity programme, in 1968, and has averaged $3.6 billion (€3.1 billion) a year in purchases from minority suppliers over the past eight years.