Bridgestone, Michelin, Pirelli earn Ford supplier honours

Dearborn, Michigan — Latin American subsidiaries of Bridgestone, Michelin and Pirelli & C. SpA recently earned recognition as top-performing global suppliers for Ford Motor Co., the only three tire makers among 88 companies that were honored with the auto maker's World Excellence Awards.

Pirelli Pneus SA of Brazil earned a Gold Excellence Award and was a finalist for the Brand Pillar Award, while Bridgestone Argentina Saic of Argentina and Sociedad Michelin de Part Ind. Com. Ltda. of Brazil received Silver Awards.

Continental AG earned a pair of awards for automotive component supply, a Smart Brand Award for its digital micromirror head-up display technology and a Silver Award for exceeding expectations and achieving the highest levels of excellence in quality, delivery, value and innovation for its brake components.

Ford's Joe Hinrichs, executive vice president and president, global operations, and Hau Thai-Tang, executive vice president, product development and purchasing, presided over the awards ceremony, held in Dearborn in mid-May.

"It is an honour to receive the Gold World Excellence Award from Ford," said Marco Crola, CEO of Pirelli Tire North America, who noted the award was for Pirelli's high technology and flexibility capabilities in supplying tires to Ford's global vehicle portfolio.

"Being a global finalist for the Brand Pillar Award in Quality is also a great achievement, as it reflects Pirelli's quality processes and productions across all business units worldwide," he added.

The Primary Brand Pillars award recognised quality, green, safe and smart qualities.