GM honors suppliers for innovation, quality and dedication

General Motors recognized 118 of its best global suppliers during its 25th annual Supplier of the Year awards ceremony on March 31 in Orlando, Florida. GM recognized more suppliers this year than in any year since the first Supplier of the Year event.

Automotive suppliers from 15 countries received GM’s coveted Supplier of the Year award for going above and beyond GM’s requirements, providing customers with the most innovative technologies and the industry’s highest-quality vehicles.

More than half of the suppliers were repeat winners from 2015, including global filter supplier Mann+Hummel, which received the exclusive Silver Anniversary Award for consistent performance. It has been named a Supplier of the Year 22 times in the program’s 25-year history.

“We have the privilege to work with and recognize the industry’s most capable suppliers,” said Steve Kiefer, GM vice president, Global Purchasing and Supply Chain. “Through their valued partnership, we will continue to deliver the products, services and experiences our customers deserve.”

In addition to naming its top suppliers, GM recognized AGM Automotive, LLC; Comau, LLC; LG Chem; LG Electronics, Inc.; Magna Exteriors; Means Industries; Multimatic; and Sam Shin Chemical Co. with the coveted Innovation Award for the following reasons:

• AGM Automotive, LLC — implementing a hands-free liftgate with integrated logo lamp, featured on the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse
• Comau, LLC — creating a flexible robotic body assembly framing system for Pre-Production Operations, improving future vehicle launch quality
• LG Chem and LG Electronics, Inc. — integrating a 60-kWh lithium-ion battery pack in the award-winning Chevrolet Bolt EV
• Magna Exteriors — developing a multiaxial laser cutting and welding process on painted thermoplastic, enabling lighter weight design of the 2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 fascia
• Means Industries — creating a selectable one-way clutch, resulting in more efficient packaging of the new Hydra-Matic nine-speed front-wheel-drive transmission
• Multimatic — enhancing the DSSV position sensitive spool valve damping technology for the first-ever application in an off-road truck, in the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2
• Sam Shin Chemical Co. — developing an innovative material layering process with its 3-D fantastic grille on the Chevrolet Bolt EV
• GM also honored three companies — Aisin AW Co., Ltd.; ConForm; and Kautex — with its Overdrive Award. The award, first given in 2012, recognizes supply partners for extraordinary leadership in cultural change and commitment initiatives that drive exceptional business results for GM.

The Supplier of the Year Overdrive and Innovation award winners were chosen by a global team of GM purchasing, engineering, quality, manufacturing, and logistics executives. Winners were selected based on performance criteria in Product Purchasing, Indirect Purchasing, Logistics, Customer Care and Aftersales.

General Motors’ 2016 Supplier of the Year award winners include: