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General Motors names Kuka Systems its supplier of the year

kuka robot at hannover messe

Kuka Systems recognized by General Motors as 2016 Supplier of the Year winner for powertrain and body shop equipment

Kuka Systems was named a “General Motors Supplier of the Year for Powertrain and Body Shop Equipment” by GM during its 25th annual Supplier of the Year awards ceremony held recently in Orlando, Florida.

GM recognized 118 of its best suppliers from 15 countries that have consistently exceeded GM’s expectations, created outstanding value or brought new innovations to the company.

The announcement represented the most suppliers GM has recognized since debuting the Supplier of the Year event in 1992. This is the second time Kuka Systems has received the award. 

Steve Kiefer, GM vice president, global purchasing and supply chain, says: “We are focused on building positive supplier relationships, bringing new, customer-centric innovations to GM and being the OEM of choice among suppliers.

“The companies we recognize tonight not only have brought innovation, they delivered it with the quality our customers deserve.”

More than half of the suppliers are repeat winners from 2015.

Winning suppliers were chosen by a global team of GM purchasing, engineering, quality, manufacturing and logistics executives and selected based on performance criteria in product purchasing, indirect purchasing, customer care and aftersales, and logistics.

Lawrence Drake, CEO of Kuka Systems, says: “The award acknowledges GM’s most important suppliers in 2016.

“Given our long-standing, reliable business relationship with General Motors, we are extremely proud that our exceptional performance has been honored in this way by our customer. Especially it is a remarkable celebration and Kuka is part of it.”