Each year, in accordance with its Kaizen philosophy, Toyota requires its suppliers to identify potential cost and quality improvements for volume-production products. With its value analyses, Schaeffler has contributed to the continuous improvement of products, also in terms of costs, and has attained a leading position in Toyota's top supplier ranking list.
In its justification of the award, Toyota emphasized the success achieved in the 'hydraulic valve lash adjustment elements' product segment. This is the first time that a gold award has been presented in this category.
"This award is also proof of our excellent expertise in vertical integration because only the relevant understanding of processes produces such high-quality analyses," said Prof. Peter Pleus, CEO Automotive at Schaeffler AG, who personally accepted the prize for Schaeffler. During the award ceremony, Pleus expressed his special gratitude to all the Schaeffler employees who made the award possible through their expertise and commitment. "Once again, we are confirming our importance as a key supplier and partner for Toyota and that makes us very proud," added Pleus.
Schaeffler currently produces engine and transmission components for Toyota in seven European plants. The product portfolio ranges from mechanical tappets - which are manufactured at the Schaeffler UK plant in Llanelli, South Wales - to clutches, dual mass flywheels, detent pins and hydraulic pivot elements. The supplier awards were presented during Toyota's annual business meeting, in which Toyota Motor Europe and top managers from its European suppliers review the last financial year.
