The Schaeffler Group, manufacturers of LuK, INA and FAG automotive and industrial product brands, recently honoured its best suppliers of production materials.
Quality, reliability, competitive cost structures, service, innovation and global presence are all aspects in which the 16 suppliers from eight countries who received the 2012 Schaeffler Supplier Award demonstrated excellence.
Schaeffler has more than 70 manufacturing locations worldwide that receive production material from around 1,250 suppliers from all over the globe and 46 of these suppliers were invited to the company’s headquarters in Germany for the award ceremony.
The 16 most outstanding suppliers were selected from this group following a detailed selection process. Schaeffler Group CEO Dr. Juergen M. Geissinger and board member Dr. Gerhard Schuff,  thanked these companies for their work and presented the awards to:
Amatsuji Steel Ball MFG Co., Ltd., Japan
• ArcelorMittal FCE S.A., Luxembourg
• Baumann Federn AG, Germany
• Brand KG; Germany
• C. D. Wälzholz KG, Germany
• GKN Sinter Metals GmbH Radevormwald, Germany
• Hugo Kern und Liebers GmbH & Co. KG, Germany
• Hupfer GmbH, Germany
• Jiangyin Xingcheng Special Steel Co., Ltd, China
• Johs. Förderer Söhne GmbH & Co. KG, Germany
• K.D. Feddersen & Co., Germany
• Massucco Industrie S.p.A., Italy
• Oskol Electrometallurgical Kombinat, Russia
• Porite Taiwan Co., Ltd., Taiwan
• SFS Intec AG, Switzerland
• Uchiyama Manufacturing Corp., Japan
Dr Geissinger says the highest growth rates in the coming years are expected in regions such as Asia and North America, and not in Europe. This means that the same high standards are required from suppliers in all regions.
“Coordinated, uniform processes, transparency regarding information and material flows, highly-qualified employees and extensive training at all locations in all regions is required to ensure that we provide the same high quality and the best service all over the world,” hr said.
The objective according to Geissinger is to increase added value locally.
This means Schaeffler will increase the involvement of local suppliers in future and integrate them into its global network. Suppliers must be able to supply purchased parts, raw materials, and services at the required quality and in the required timeframe at competitive prices in all regions.
In 2012 Schaeffler purchased manufacturing material, and steel in particular, components, and modules at a value of around €$3.5 billion .
The Schaeffler Supplier Awards for manufacturing materials are presented every two years, alternating with the “Premium Supplier Awards” as part of its purchasing cooperation with Continental AG.