Global automotive component suppliers Continental and Schaeffler, who have been cooperating in purchasing for the past eight years, have conferred a ‘Premier Supplier’ status to six new component suppliers. Every two years, the two companies select or confirm a number of joint Premium Suppliers.  

On November 8, they held their fourth joint Premium Supplier Day in Frankfurt. This year’s event was attended by 32 suppliers from nine countries.

From a total of more than 1,200 strategic suppliers, the two companies had selected 110 for systematic and comprehensive evaluation in line with predefined criteria. Along with a suitable product portfolio and high performance in terms of quality, Schaeffler and Continental’s selection criteria included logistics capabilities and global competitiveness. From among the 32 nominated suppliers who meet the demanding requirements of the automobile industry in full, six new names were added to the Premium Supplier Circle.

Closer partnerships in the offing
Continental and Schaeffler are planning to engage in even closer partnerships with their Premium Suppliers, not least in the fields of development and digitalisation, with the aim of further accelerating their mutual success. To this end, in clearly defined material fields, they are implementing a joint supplier strategy and striving to involve suppliers at an early stage of the product development process. The Premium Suppliers meet the strict evaluation criteria and are thus well placed to comply with the automakers’ ever-increasing expectations and more rigorous requirements of the entire supply chain. Increasing automation of driving functionalities, advancing digitalisation and an extended portfolio of services all serve to raise the bar in terms of quality assurance, risk management, reliability, and networked crossfunctional collaboration.

Oliver Jung, chief operating officer at Schaeffler, said: “Digitalisation means that our suppliers will soon be facing new challenges in terms of integration into the Schaeffler Production System.” And Günter Fella, Head of Purchasing at Continental Automotive, added: “At the same time, digitalisation opens up opportunities for added flexibility, enhanced quality performance, and greater competitiveness.”

The six new Continental and Schaeffler Premium Suppliers are:
- Arnold Umformtechnik GmbH & Co. KG, Germany
- Dalian Demaishi Micro-Shaft Co., Ltd, China
- Interplex Holdings Ltd, Singapore
- Shanghai Global Precision Mould & Plastics Co., Ltd, China
- Wiesauplast Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG, Germany
- Knipping Kunststofftechnik King Plastic GmbH, Germany