Samvardhana Motherson, Infosys bag Daimler supplier award for outstanding performance

Daimler AG has honored 10 suppliers for their outstanding performance in the past financial year with the 2014 Daimler Supplier Award. They include India’s Samvardhana Motherson group and Infosys Ltd.

Around 450 guests from the supply industry witnessed the seventh award presentation at the Mercedes-Benz Center in Stuttgart on February 26, 2015. For the first time there were three nominees in each category.

The company honours above-average performance once a year with the Daimler Supplier Award. In working with its direct suppliers, Daimler says it follows its cooperation model, the Daimler Supplier Network which is based on the principles of performance and partnership. Performance is measured in terms of quality, cost, delivery reliability and innovative strength. According to the company, its partnership with its suppliers is based on trust and open communication. That includes the observance of sustainable business practices, which is intended to create incentives for the entire supplier base to steadily improve in existing and new markets.

In his opening speech, Dr. Dieter Zetsche, chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, expressed the company's appreciation of its suppliers in light of the above: "2014 was the best year in the history of our company and our suppliers have played a great part in it. With the Daimler Supplier Award we say ‘Thank you’ for excellent quality, excellent performance and excellent innovative strength – in short: for an excellent collaboration!"

THE WINNERS ARE:

Global Procurement Trucks and Buses

ALCOA Wheel & Transportation Products (category: Quality)
For outstanding quality standards in the production of alloy wheels.

Nominees: Hubei Tri-Ring Auto-Axle Co., Ltd./ Hubei Tri-Ring Forging Co., Ltd.; Voss Automotive GmbH

Robert Bosch Car Multimedia GmbH (category: Innovation) 
For cooperative development of Predictive Powertrain Control System, which makes CVs even more economical by saving fuel.

Nominees: Hitchiner Manufacturing Co Inc.; Würth Elektronik ICS GmbH & Co. KG

Gross & Perthun GmbH & Co. KG (category: Partnership) 
For outstanding collaboration in the field of underbody protection materials.

Nominees: Yazaki Corporation; Hitachi Automotive Systems Steering

Procurement Mercedes-Benz Cars and Supplier Quality

Bocar Group (category: Quality) 
For the production of high-quality aluminium components.

Nominees: Kirchhoff Automotive GmbH; NGK Spark Plug Europe GmbH

Shin Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd. (category: Innovation) 
Global technology leader and pioneer in the development of innovative magnet materials.

Nominees: Oberthur Technologies S.A.; Nemak Dillingen GmbH

Samvardhana Motherson Group (category: Partnership) 
Reliable partner who supports Mercedes-Benz's global growth by investment in capacity expansion and new plants.

Nominees: Schmidt Maschinenbau GmbH; Quin GmbH International Procurement Services

Infosys Ltd (category: Quality) 
For professionalism in the provision of IT Data Center Services.

Nominees: Elanders Germany GmbH; Ed. Züblin AG

Schuler AG (category: Innovation) 
For production of pioneering press lines offering exceptional flexibility and precision.

Nominees: KUKA Systems GmbH; Verizon Telematics Inc.

Royal Dutch Shell plc (category: Partnership) 
For outstanding performance in the joint implementation of an aftersales business for lubricants in China.

Nominees: ThyssenKrupp Engineering GmbH; Rhenus SE & Co. KG Special Award

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation 
For the development of an efficient and high-quality online navigation and infotainment system that injects life into future trends such as Connected Driving.