Ford recognises GKN Sinter Metals as preferred supplier with Q1 Award
August 5, 2015
Ford Motor Company has recognised the GKN Sinter Metals Plant in Pimpri, India, with a Q1 Preferred Quality Status award. This is Ford’s highest recognition for supplier excellence and only awarded to suppliers achieving a sustained level of excellence in customer satisfaction over a period of time, while also meeting agreed requirements in quality, productivity and service.
A ceremony was held in Chennai on June 24 during which Prafulla Diwan, Sales Director India and ASEAN, and Sambit Praharaj, QA/HSE Director India, formally accepted the Q1 certification on behalf of the Pimpri team from representatives of the Ford Motor Company.
Today, Ford is GKN Sinter Metals’ largest customer and both companies have shared a long and successful partnership for more than three decades. In 2013 a further GKN Sinter Metals facility in Milan, Italy, was also awarded Ford’s prestigious Q1 certification.
Since 2005 the Pimpri Sinter Metals plant has supplied Ford with conventional Powder Metallurgy components such as pulleys and sensor rings that are predominantly integrated into engine systems.
“Being awarded with the Q1 certification is a powerful symbol of mutual trust and reflects our strong commitment to product quality and customer satisfaction,” stated Hemant Nighojkar, Managing Director India and Vice President India and Cape Town, as he emphasised the award’s significance.
Diwan added, “Our thanks go out to all employees who have contributed to this success. We are looking forward to continuing to develop our relationship with Ford.”
With more than 50 years of local experience, GKN Sinter Metals is a well established supplier to automotive customers in India and employs a staff of 1,100 employees at two facilities. GKN is leading the emerging Powder Metallurgy market in India with a market share of more than 45%.
