Dana, a world leader in power-conveyance and energy-management solutions for vehicles and machinery, recently announced its 2018 Supplier Awards recipients. Seven companies were recognised for displaying excellence in supporting the key elements of Dana's enterprise strategy. A special ceremony was held to honour the winners at the company's world headquarters in Maumee.
India's Ramakrishna Forgings, a preferred supplier of forged and rolled components, with five manufacturing plants including four in Jharkhand, has bagged the 'Innovative Solutions' award. Dana is the company's largest overseas customer.
Dana Supplier award winners
Leveraging the Core Award: The ILJIN Group
Drive Customer Centricity Award: OMR Group
Deliver Innovative Solutions Award: Ramkrishna Forgings
Expand Global Markets Award: Zhejiang Huashou Technology Co
Lead Electric Propulsion Award: Shilla Industrial Co
Diverse Supplier of the Year: Acro Service Corporation
Indirect Supplier of the Year: Lauffer Pressen
"Dana's supplier awards are about recognising and celebrating the highest-performing suppliers and the excellence they have demonstrated over the past year. We are heavily reliant on the support we receive from our supply base to ensure we are delivering superior products and services to our customers," said Craig Price, senior vice-president of purchasing and supplier development. "It is a privilege to work alongside these exceptional suppliers that have been great partners to Dana."
Founded in November 1981, the Kolkata-based Ramakrishna Forgings is a leading supplier to various industries including automotive, railways, farm equipment, bearings, oil and gas, power and construction, earth moving and mining, both in India and overseas markets.
The company is a preferred supplier to OEMs like Tata Motors, Ashok Leyland, VE Commercial Vehicles and Daimler in India and to Volvo, Mack Trucks, Iveco and Ford in the overseas markets. It also supplies globally to Tier 1 axle manufacturers like Dana, Sisamex, Meritor and American Axles.
According to an earlier report from financial services analyst Anand Rathi, Ramakrishna Forgings is on a growth trajectory. "Continued exports to North America and Europe, new products and diversification are the drivers of strong growth for the next two years despite expected weakness in the domestic market. With growth coming from both North America, Europe and Mexico (growth from Dana), our expectation of strong export growth continues. Exports to Europe have started and we expect them to accelerate from FY2020. Higher exports would supplement higher machining capacity utilisation. Also, the company plans to add new products in to cater to Class 5 trucks (LCV) and thus expect strong growth in FY2021. Management is confident of growth in Class 8 trucks in North America till February 2020."
Dana's product portfolio improves the efficiency, performance, and sustainability of light vehicles, commercial vehicles, and off-highway equipment. From axles, driveshafts, and transmissions to electrodynamic, thermal, sealing, and digital solutions, the company enables the propulsion of conventional, hybrid, and electric-powered vehicles by supplying nearly every vehicle and engine manufacturer in the world.