Tower Automotive announced that its South Korean operations have earned a Quality Five Star supplier rating from Hyundai/Kia Automotive. Five Star is the highest rating in the Hyundai/Kia quality system and was awarded to only 10 of the company’s 348 eligible suppliers this year. The award was based on an evaluation of the quality, productivity and technology systems at Tower’s Hwaseong and Sihwa plants. Tower Korea previously had been rated just below the top level at 4.5 on Hyundai’s quality scale of one to five.
“This accomplishment is a result of Tower employees’ dedication to meeting the needs of our customers and strengthening our competitiveness through continuous improvement and high quality standards,” said David Ro, president of Tower’s South Korean operations. “It is gratifying to be recognized as a strategic partner of Hyundai/Kia. We will continue to improve our quality system and provide our customers with the best possible products and services.”
Hyundai/Kia launched the Quality Five Star System for suppliers in 2002. Tower is the first and only supplier to earn the top award in the steel stamping, welding and assembly division.
“Tower’s status as a leading metal structure provider is reinforced by this Quality Five Star award,” said Dr. Gyula Meleghy, president of Asian Operations for Tower Automotive. “It demonstrates to our customers that we will not be satisfied with anything short of top quality and service.”
The Hwaseong plant produces a variety of body structures, side frame assemblies, door assemblies and stampings for Kia. The Sihwa facility produces body and suspension structures for the Kia Grand Carnival/Sedona minivan and full chassis frame assemblies for the Sorento SUV.
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