LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Subaru of Indiana Automotive (SIA) recently recognized Maxxis International, Sumitomo Rubber North America Inc. (SRNA) and Yokohama Tire Corp. as top suppliers for 2018.
SRNA was honored with the Special Recognition Award, Subaru's top supplier award, while Maxxis and YTC earned Excellent Performance awards.
The three tire makers were two of 22 award recipients out of more than 260 suppliers that service SIA, which assembles the Ascent, Impreza, Legacy and Outback models for North America at the plant in Lafayette.
Production has grown to about 370,000 models annually from 67,000 in 1989 when the plant opened, SIA said.
SRNA is the exclusive supplier to SIA for the Ascent three-row SUV with its Falken Ziex ZE001 all-season tires.
David Colletti, Falken's vice president, original equipment, said Falken "worked hard to achieve the level of success demanded by our OE partners and it is vital to our success — and naturally, that of our customers — that we dedicate ourselves to supplying the highest quality product and the support behind it."
Falken also is the exclusive supplier to Subaru's Forester and Crosstrek XV (Limited trim), providing Ziex ZE001 all-season tires to Subaru's factory in Japan.
Maxxis has been an SIA supplier since 2014. It supplies OE spare tires for the Subaru Outback and Impreza and will begin supplying tires for the Ascent later this year, the company said.
"Suppliers have a critical role in our quality and manufacturing efficiency," SIA Senior Vice President Scott Brand said. "We embrace the opportunity to celebrate those companies that are providing excellent service and enable us to achieve mutual success."