GM Awards Heller Machine Tools

For the second year running, Heller Machine Tools L.P. (Troy, MI) has been awarded the prestigious General Motors 2017 Supplier of the Year in the category of Indirect Material and Machinery. The award was presented for the Heller RFK and DRZ ranges of crankshaft machinery, engineering and applications that are being used by GM in many global manufacturing plants. Heller was the only metal cutting machine tool builder chosen for an award this year. GM has seen significant reductions in crankshaft production costs since their machine installations, along with consistency of accuracy and reliability. “GM has been very supportive of our company and we are honored yet again to win this award,” said Wolfgang Maerker, the vice president of the Crank and Cam Shaft Division of Heller.

This year the Disney Yacht and Beach Club Resort (Orlando FL) was selected for the award conference and presentation events, with over 600 GM and supplier company executives and their guests attended. The encore was a magnificent private 3D firework display above the lake at the Epcot Center. The event was hosted by Steve Kiefer, the senior vice president of global purchasing and supply chain for GM, who explained in great detail how they are working with suppliers to form strategic partnerships with higher quality inter-company relationships at all levels. GM has over 20,000 suppliers globally. This year only 132 of these suppliers were presented with awards in 11 different categories. The requirements for the awards focused on quality, innovation, delivery, performance, safety, commercials and customer support.

The event also included several team building events that enabled the attendees to look at new ideas and innovations in both the automotive and business worlds. The team building also provided a platform for group networking with the GM executives and staff. “GM is using the very latest technology to produce several ranges of crankshafts,” noted Stephen Pegram, the vice president of sales for Heller. “Our teams have worked and ensured that our projects have been successful and met the original timelines. Our thanks to GM for this recognition and award.”

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