Webasto honors suppliers

The systems partner to the mobility industry made innovation, sustainability and digitalization the key topics of its International Supplier Day 2022 under the motto #futurize2gether.

Munich – October 20, 2022 – In times of ongoing crises and rapid transformation of the automotive industry, suppliers have long been more than just providers of materials and components. Companies are now collaborating closely to safeguard current projects and develop intelligent solutions for future mobility solutions. At this year’s International Supplier Day 2022, representatives from Webasto exchanged ideas with around 300 guests from 20 countries. They discussed how they could jointly master the numerous challenges currently facing them and tap additional market potential together.

On occasion of the hybrid event, which took place under the motto #futurize2gether, Webasto presented awards for quality, cost performance, and – for the first time – gave prizes in the supply chain resilience, sustainability and digitalization categories. The presentation of a further award for special achievements in the field of innovation is still pending. This will be presented in a follow-up to the event in the first quarter of 2023.

Dr. Holger Engelmann, Chairman of the Management Board of Webasto SE, thanked all participating suppliers for their commitment and flexibility, especially over recent years. “We are concentrating on expanding our business in the areas of roof systems and electromobility solutions in an innovative and sustainable way. To do this, we need partners who not only provide us with reliable support for our day-to-day business, but also bring new ideas to the table and value sustainability just as highly as we do,” emphasized Engelmann. There are major growth opportunities in both the roof segment and the e-mobility market. To explore these potentials and achieve future success, customers and suppliers would have to manage risks professionally and contribute to ensuring robust supply chains, said Engelmann.

Solar cells, rubber seals, plastics, green power, software and ideas

At the International Supplier Day 2022, Jan-Kristof Hohenstein, Executive Vice President Purchasing & Supplier Quality, together with colleagues from his purchasing team, presented Webasto awards to the following partner companies:

Quality

Jiangsu Trinaway New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. supports Webasto in the production of solar car roofs by supplying photovoltaic cells. In its collaboration with Webasto, the supplier is characterized by high quality standards and great professionalism, particularly in the field of pre-series development.

Cost efficiency

Webasto uses polypropylene from Kingfa Sci. & Tech. Co., Ltd for the development of plastic components. The material is used primarily for the production of injection-molded parts for sunroof frames and in electromobility solutions. The company impresses not only with the price-performance ratio achieved by its raw materials, but also with its consistent design-to-cost approach.

Supply chain resilience

Jiangyin Haida Rubber and Plastic Co., Ltd supplies rubber seals for roof systems to Webasto production sites worldwide. By presenting this award, Webasto is recognizing the company’s special efforts to secure the supply of components in North America, China and Europe in times of pandemic and transportation restrictions.

Sustainability

Neubrandenburger Stadtwerke GmbH supplies all German sites of Webasto with electricity generated from 100 percent renewable energy sources. The public utility company thereby supports Webasto in pursuing its environmental sustainability goals.

Digitalization

Webasto has digitized its supplier management processes in collaboration with RGBSI - Rapid Global Business Solutions, Inc. The company’s expertise and cooperative approach enabled the WeQ project to be implemented quickly and professionally.

Innovation
 

The Innovation Award attracts particular attention. Both existing Webasto partners and also suppliers who have not yet cooperated with the automotive supplier were able to apply for this award. Impulses are searched for improving Webasto technologies, products and processes in the areas of core materials and manufacturing processes, design elements, electronics, mechatronics, and smart factory. In-depth workshops were held on these topics at the International Supplier Day 2022. Webasto will present its Supplier Innovation Award for the first time at the beginning of 2023.