Daimler honours its top 10 global suppliers for 2020

On February 12, the Daimler Group honoured 10 suppliers for outstanding achievements in the previous financial year with the Daimler Supplier Award 2020. In addition to awards for outstanding performance in the fields of Quality and Innovation, this year for the first time, suppliers were presented with awards in the categories 'Sustainability' and 'Inspiration' at the Mercedes Event Center in Sindelfingen.

The basis for all awards is collaborative partnership. Around 450 strategic partners and key suppliers were invited. The awards were presented by representatives of the Daimler Board of Management and Procurement Heads.

Once a year, the Daimler Group recognises outstanding performance with the Daimler Supplier Award. Suppliers are measured by quality, innovation, sustainability, and inspiration. Economic efficiency, reliability and integrity are also taken into account.

Sustainable solutions
“Daimler is on the path towards sustainable mobility. With climate protection being a key aspect of the sustainable business strategy, all of our divisions have set ambitious decarbonisation targets. Together with our suppliers, we are actively promoting the implementation of these targets,” said Ola Källenius, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Mercedes-Benz AG. “By presenting the sustainability award for suppliers, we are highlighting the significance of sustainability throughout the value chain.” Källenius presented the award in the Sustainability category and paid tribute to the recipients, Statkraft Markets GmbH and Brembo SpA, for their contribution to carbon reduction.

New impulses for bold visions
Technological and social change require new objectives and bold visions. Daimler says it relies equally on longstanding partners, new partners and start-ups to track down trends and innovations and to develop them ambitiously with regard to customer benefits. The inspiration award was presented for the first time to suppliers who made a significant contribution to new product development approaches through their inspiring visions.

“The VISION AVTR underlines our pioneering spirit and vision of the future of mobility: a vehicle that combines sustainability, technological progress and a great customer experience. In order to fulfill our role as innovation and technology leader in the future, we also expect courageous impulses with inspiring visions in all areas from our partners. Together we are creating groundbreaking mobility solutions that are in line with our social, environmental and economic targets,” said Markus Schäfer, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Mercedes-Benz AG, responsible for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development, Procurement and Supplier Quality. He presented the prize for the first time in the category “Inspiration”. The recipients were Amazee Labs AG and LG Electronics Inc.

Partners in progress
For years, innovation and top quality, alongside collaboration with suppliers, have been the most important value drivers and critical for success. For this reason, the company once again recognised suppliers’ outstanding performances in the categories 'Quality' and 'Innovation'.

Top quality is a crucial criterion, by which partners contribute to the premium promise of the Daimler brands. Martin Daum, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler Truck AG, paid tribute to the prizewinners in the 'Quality' category.

The age of electric mobility has begun and is bringing about a great number of changes for the entire sector. Delivering top quality to our customers remains unchanged. For this reason we continue to rely on strong partners, with whom we can maintain this customer promise in future,” said Daum.

WINNERS OF THE DAIMLER SUPPLIER AWARDS 2020
Sustainability category (Production material)
Brembo SpA: Recognized for a comprehensive, systematic, holistic sustainability approach and CO₂ reduction in its in-house production.

Sustainability category (Non-production material) 
Statkraft Markets GmbH: Recognized for the implementation of a tailor-made eco-energy concept with 100% electricity supply from wind, solar and hydropower. It ensures that the actual electricity supply of the Daimler comes from 100% renewable sources at all times.

Inspiration category (Production material)
LG Electronics Inc: Recognized for the visual effects of the sophisticated LG touchscreen displays that are used in both Mercedes-Benz Cars and Daimler Trucks.

Inspiration category (Non-production material)
Amazee Labs AG:  Recognized for the implementation of a content management system based on open-source software and the establishment of new work methods in the IT department.

Quality category
Mercedes-Benz Cars Purchasing and Supplier Quality
CQLT SaarGummi Technologies S.à.r.l: Recognized for ensuring a smooth start of production through the management of necessary industrializations in the material group “Seals”.

Global Procurement Trucks and Buses:
Meritor Inc: Recognized for the supply of over one million axles, brakes and powertrains for the North American truck market – at a high level of quality and with remarkable adherence to deadlines.

International Procurement Services
APL Automobil Prüftechnik Landau GmbH: Recognized for being a partner with key competences in inspecting engines. Their new roller test stands are a benchmark in the automotive industry.

Innovation category
Mercedes-Benz Cars Purchasing and Supplier Quality
Nippon Seiki Co: Recognized for the development, production and smooth delivery of the innovative, large-scale head-up displays for the new Mercedes-Benz GLE and Mercedes-Benz GLS.

Global Procurement Trucks and Buses
AEES Inc. – DBA PKC Group: Recognized for the development and production of ultra-modern subharnesses. These support Daimler Trucks in leading the transportation industry with electrically powered, highly automated solutions.

International Procurement Services
EPAM Systems GmbH: Recognized for a program tailored to the Daimler IT department, which enables the IT knowledge and skills required for the digital transformation to be developed.