Daimler thanks Japanese suppliers for ‘outstanding effort’

During last month’s Daimler Supplier Award ceremony in Germany, the vehicle manufacturer bestowed a “Special Award for Partnership” upon its Japanese suppliers, including Bridgestone. The award was given to 34 Japanese key suppliers in recognition of their efforts to overcome the disruption caused by last year’s earthquake and tsunami and for the solutions they found to keep the supply chain running, with minimal effect on Daimler business.

Speaking on behalf of Daimler, Wilfried Porth, member of the company’s Board of Management responsible for Human Resources & labour relations director, thanked the Japanese partners for their outstanding efforts to safeguard supply chains and production at the Daimler facilities in Japan. “Not only did we manage to cope with one of the biggest challenges in the history of the Japanese automotive industry, but together, we can overcome it and even can grow stronger due to the fact that we work together so closely and with such extraordinary engagement,” he stated.

The tyre maker’s award was received on behalf of Bridgestone by Edwin Van der Stad, director, OE Business, Bridgestone Europe, who said: “Bridgestone is honoured to receive this special award after the extremely difficult situation caused by the catastrophe in Japan. Daimler has ambitious goals for the future and Bridgestone looks forward to working closely with this premium car manufacturer in all regions of the world, in both the commercial vehicle and passenger car markets.”