DETROIT—General Motors Co. has recognized tire makers Bridgestone Corp. and Continental Tire the Americas L.L.C., wheel maker Superior Industries International Inc. and brakes and components maker Brembo S.p.A. as suppliers of the year.
They were among 110 suppliers from 17 countries, recognized by GM at its 24th annual Supplier of the Year awards ceremony held March 10 in Detroit. The pool was a nearly 40 percent increase over the previous year and more than half were repeat winners, GM said.
This is Bridgestone's 14th supplier of the year award, GM said, and its first as a “prime status” supplier.
This was the first time Continental Tire has earned the GM honor, prompting Enno Straten, vice president key account management for Conti's original equip-ment PLT business unit, to categorize winning the award as an “excellent reflection of our partnership with GM.”
“Our team has been persistently working to provide the highest quality tires with innovative features to complement GM's great products. And today we are even more motivated to shift our efforts to the next level being able to tackle all upcoming challenges of the automotive industry together with GM.”
Conti has 26 separate Continental-brand and 15 General-brand OE fitments on GM vehicles, according to the brands' latest product and data guides.
“We are focused on building positive supplier relationships, bringing new, customer-centric innovations to GM, and being the OEM of choice among suppliers,” said Steve Kiefer, GM vice president, global purchasing and supply chain.
“The companies we recognize tonight not only have brought innovation, they delivered it with the quality our customers deserve.”
Superior said it is one of GM's largest wheel suppliers and has been a GM supplier for approximately 40 years, during which time it has earned supplier of the year honors 10 times.