NASHVILLE, Tenn. ― Bridgestone Americas Inc. plants in Des Moines, Iowa, and Bloomington, Ill., have earned top supplier honors from farm and construction equipment maker Caterpillar Inc.
Bridgestone's agriculture tire plant in Des Moines and OTR tire plant in Bloomington achieved Platinum and Gold Level status, respectively, in Caterpillar's Supplier Quality Excellence Process (SQEP) Certification, Bridgestone disclosed recently.
The Des Moines plant achieved Platinum — Caterpillar's highest honor — for a third consecutive year.
Caterpillar created its SQEP Certification to recognize a supplier's dedication to providing superior quality, Bridgestone said, and is awarded only to suppliers that demonstrate world-class performance on an ongoing basis. Each year, suppliers are evaluated with increasingly strict criteria for distinguishing outstanding supplier quality, exceptional service and shipping performance.
Recognition levels of bronze, silver, gold and platinum, reflected in order of increasing difficulty, distinguish outstanding supplier quality performance.
Earning SQEP Certification demonstrates the strong values and ethical principles of Bridgestone in conducting business, as well as the company's commitment to collaborate with Caterpillar to implement a culture for "zero-defects" across the supply chain, Bridgestone said.
Achieving Platinum Level "says a great deal about Bridgestone's commitment to consistently achieve high standards of quality, productivity, and efficiency in support of our customers," Greg Halford, Des Moines plant manager, said. "We are committed to delivering world-class Firestone Ag tires to our customers."
The Des Moines plant opened in 1945 and produces agricultural, construction, forestry and off-the-road tires.
Monty Greutman, Bloomington plant manager, said Caterpillar's recognition "recognition speaks to the commitment, dedication and diligence of each of our teammates who put their heart and soul into their work every day at this plant. Every one of them should be proud of their contributions to this achievement."
Since 1965, the Bloomington Plant has produced bias and radial OTR tires for mining and construction applications. The plant recently was recertified as a Star participant as part of the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Voluntary Protection Program and is in the midst of a $12 million investment to expand production.