Sumitomo is supplier of the year

SUMITOMO Australia Group has been named supplier of the year for 2009 by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, the nation’s peak car industry group.

The automotive electronic components supplier was awarded the prestigious gong at a ceremony at the Melbourne Town Hall last week, when Sumitomo and two other finalists, Frontline and MtM, were honoured.

While Sumitomo supplies electronic and electrical automotive components to Australian car-makers as well as manufacturing equipment, the Frontline engineering company supplies the automotive, defence and environmental sectors with products including exhaust manifolds and external accessories such as tow bars and bull bars.

MtM, meantime, is recognised as a world leader in the automatic gearshift and door check markets and has been a major supplier of products to Australian car manufacturers for more than 40 years.

The FCAI’s supplier of the year award is judged by Australia’s three car-makers – Toyota, GM Holden and Ford – on the basis of performance in areas including product development, quality, delivery timeliness, pricing and product management.

FCAI chief executive Andrew McKellar said this year’s supplier of the year award held more significance than usual due to the automotive industry crisis.

“The awards are an important opportunity to thank our suppliers for a job well done and to celebrate their achievements,” said Mr McKellar.

“The three finalists are exactly the sort of innovative and successful businesses that we need in the automotive supply chain.

“Congratulations to the winner Sumitomo Australia Group – the challenges of the past 12 months make this year’s award even more significant,” he said.

Representing federal industry minister Senator Kim Carr, parliamentary secretary for innovation and industry Richard Marles said all three award finalists had demonstrated excellence in a tough business environment.

“As the Australian automotive industry shows some early signs of recovery, collaboration between suppliers and vehicle producers will remain crucial to manage growing demand,” said Mr Marles.

“I know all these finalists will continue to maintain the pace of improvement and innovation in their operations and be best practice examples to this vital automotive sector.

“Being judged by your customers as an excellent supplier is a high accolade indeed, and Sumitomo Australia deserves hearty congratulations on its award.

“The Australian government is committed to supporting supply chain consolidation through A New Car Plan for Greener Future initiatives like the Automotive Industry Structural Adjustment Program and the Automotive Supply Chain Development Program,” he said.

Mr Marles presented the award with the Victorian industry minister Martin Pakula at a dinner hosted by the FCAI and sponsored by the Victorian government.