For the second time since 2002, BASF Coatings de Mexico has received the prestigious General Motors Supplier of the Year award for outstanding performance as an automotive coatings supplier for GM's Silao and Ramos Arizpe assembly plants. 

The Supplier of the Year award recognizes suppliers that have consistently met the GM's high standards in a number of key areas, including product quality and excellent service. Of approximately 417 GM suppliers in Mexico, only 16 have received the award for 2004. Earlier this year, GM also recognized BASF as a global Supplier of the Year for 2004 - the second time since 2002 that BASF has received the global award.

Peter Fischer, manager director of BASF Coatings de Mexico, accepted the award from Jimmy McDonald, GM executive director Powertrain Components & Raw Material Global Purchasing and Supply Chain, and Rafael Laguna, purchasing supply chain director of GM Mexico, during a ceremony held in June in Mexico City.

"We are very honored to receive this recognition," said Fischer. "Only a few GM suppliers qualify for the award each year, and we are proud of the fact that BASF is the only coatings supplier to receive the award worldwide as well as in Mexico. This outstanding achievement by BASF de México reflects our ongoing commitment to delivering intelligent solutions that help GM to be more successful."

"To receive the GM Supplier of the Year award means to be recognized as the best among the best, with the best quality, service, technology and price," said Laguna. "BASF delivers all of those. The BASF 2015 vision is aligned with GM's expectations, and BASF offers something very important that is uniquely focused on GM - the commitment to help GM be more competitive."

Rainer Blair, group vice president for BASF's coatings businesses in North America and the Global Automotive Coatings Solutions business, congratulated the employees and management of BASF Coatings de México on their exceptional achievement. "Being recognized as a GM Supplier of the Year is a strong testament to the unique value proposition that BASF brings to its key customers in the automotive OEM industry. This award recognizes BASF's many strengths, including our innovative products and services and our first-class launch management process," said Blair.