Yokohama Tire Corporation has earned for the fourth straight year Caterpillar’s premier supplier award: the Platinum Level Recertification in its Supplier Quality Excellence Process (SQEP). The award went to Yokohama’s off-the-road (OTR) factory in Onomichi, Japan, which produces OE and replacement OTR tires for a wide range of off-the-road equipment.
According to Caterpillar, its SQEP recognizes suppliers like Yokohama that have exhibited excellent process control, shown a desire for ongoing continuous improvement, provided quality products to Caterpillar, and that drive a ‘zero defects’ culture within their organizations.
Certification levels include bronze, silver, gold, and platinum, which reflect an order of increasing difficulty. Suppliers are certified through SQEP by meeting or exceeding stringent supplier performance standards, such as product quality and shipping performance, which are measured over the course of a calendar year.
“We’re truly honored to receive the platinum level recertification for 2015,” said Andrew Zeisser, YTC director, OE Sales. “Earning an award like this from a world-class OEM like Caterpillar for the fourth consecutive year is a tribute to Yokohama’s global commitment to deliver best-in-class quality products and service.”
Hydro Electronic Devices (HED), Inc. which provides keypads to multiple Caterpillar facilities around the world and across multiple vehicle platforms earned bronze certification through the SQEP. HED
The recognition plaque was presented to Rob Bertz, HED’s program manager by: Ed Wasrud, Caterpillar supplier quality engineer; Stephan Anderson, Caterpillar segment buyer; and Harry Michael, Caterpillar keypad engineer.
Paul Ludwig, HED president & CEO, said, “We are deeply honored to receive this certification from Caterpillar. Our goal is to utilize world-class design and assembly processes to deliver products that bring value and performance to Caterpillar’s customers around the world.
“Working with Caterpillar has truly made us a stronger and more capable company. We also thank our assembly partner, Creation Technologies, for their excellent performance and passion in helping us achieve this goal.”
January 29, 2016
