Prize-giving ceremony for “Supplier of the Year 2016”

From among 911 strategic suppliers, the Continental Automotive Group has identified its best partners around the world on the basis of a comprehensive, systematic evaluation. Rehm Thermal Systems impressed as the only supplier of manufacturing equipment in the area of “Investment and Engineering (Soldering Machines)” and was one of 15 companies recently awarded a prize for outstanding performance at “Supplier Day” in Regensburg. Looking back at 2016, the focus was placed specifically on the increased requirements with regard to quality and reliability.

“Both developments within the automotive industry, and the increasingly complex worldwide platform concepts and the increasing demands of our customers with regard to quality, present new challenges for the entire supply chain“, said Dr. Elmar Degenhart, Chairman of the Executive Board of Continental AG, in his speech. “Quality is now no longer an objective in the sense of an indicator of customer satisfaction, but an essential requirement. One goal of our work is to pursue a consistent zero defect strategy in all areas. All companies in the supply chain must therefore firmly anchor this quality standard in their DNA, so that it is embodied by all employees and shapes each individual process step.”

The individual customer care provided by Rehm Thermal Systems was highlighted as being particularly praiseworthy. The Swabian mechanical engineer uses direct contact persons and always bases its product portfolio on the needs of its customers. In cooperation with Continental, many specific special solutions in the reflow area have already been implemented in this way in the past. An international presence continues to play a central role for both companies.     

“It makes us very proud to be among Continental’s top partners worldwide and it shows that we are meeting the increasing quality and technology requirements in a dynamic industry like electronics production. The award is a special honour for us. We very much appreciate the confidence shown in us, the exchange of experiences and the mutual inspiration in numerous joint projects in the course of our now almost 25-year partnership”, said Johannes Rehm, Managing Director of Rehm Thermal Systems.

Every year since 2008, Continental has awarded prizes for “Supplier of the Year” to outstanding suppliers in the automotive business, in the six areas of Electronics, Electromechanics, Metal, Plastic and Rubber, Investment and Engineering Services as well as Division-Specific Solutions. The selected companies are rated in the categories Quality, Technology, Logistics, Costs and Purchasing Terms.