On May 3, Ford Motor Company awarded its highest supplier honour — the World Excellence Award — to its global suppliers for their exemplary performance in 2005. More than 150 of Ford’s largest production and non-production suppliers from 17 countries attended the eighth annual event in Dearborn. The World Excellence Awards recognise suppliers who not only achieve the highest levels of cost, quality and delivery but who also embrace the vision to build on Ford’s legacy and drive innovation to new heights.

“Our World Excellence Award-winning suppliers are integral in our ability to address the needs of our customers today and tomorrow,” said Tony (Thomas K) Brown, senior vice-president, Global Purchasing. “We are grateful for their ceaseless concentration on delivering value.” The keynote speaker was Ford group vice-president and chief technology officer Richard Parry-Jones, who said Ford and its suppliers share a vision and strive for many of the same goals. “You come from all over the world, speak many different languages and represent many different cultures. But you share this in common — you are all a most valued part of the extended Ford family,” said Parry-Jones.

There are three types of World Excellence Awards — Gold, Silver and Recognition of Achievement. The Gold and Silver Awards are given to suppliers that excel in quality, cost and delivery; 13 Gold Awards and 32 Silver Awards were presented. Wheels India was the lone Indian company in the awards list and bagged a Silver Award. The Recognition of Achievement Award is given to suppliers who impact customer satisfaction by providing significant contributions in key areas: Environmental Leadership, Consumer-Focused Technology and Consumer-Driven 6-Sigma. Nine suppliers received Recognition of Achievement Awards and six other suppliers received Special Recognition Awards for an undisclosed project.