GM honors 5 non-tire rubber companies with 2022 supplier award

SAN ANTONIO—General Motors is able to do what it does because of its suppliers.

And for the 31st time, GM tipped its hat to those suppliers that keep everything moving forward with their commitments to delivering quality, innovative products and maintaining focus on on-time delivery, transparency and safety.

"We are thrilled to recognize these outstanding suppliers after yet another challenging year in the automotive industry," Jeff Morrison, GM vice president of global purchasing and supply chain, said in a statement. "They overcame countless obstacles and exemplified what it means to be resilient, resourceful and determined. Beyond that, these suppliers demonstrated their commitment to sustainable innovation and to driving advanced solutions in collaboration with the GM team."

In all, 105 companies earned the Supplier of the Year honor for 2022. Here's a look at 5 non-tire rubber industry suppliers to earn the distinction, including one who took home the auto maker's Overdrive Award.

It's not just that Trico—a division of First Brands Group L.L.C.—was recognized for its outstanding supplier performance.

It's that Trico was selected as just one of 16 companies for GM's Overdrive Award.

According to GM, the The Overdrive Award—first presented in 2012—is reserved for suppliers who display outstanding achievement across global purchasing and supply chains. These performance characteristics include, but are not limited to sustainability, innovation, launch excellence and safety.

Those are characteristics that Trico, a maker of wiper blades, said it is proud to exhibit.

"Trico has been doing business with GM for over 100 years and we are proud that this partnership has not only continued to thrive but has grown globally," Darren Phillips, vice president of Global Sales for OE/OES at First Brands group said in a statement. "Our world class manufacturing and exceptional people, help ensure that we support GM with the best possible products and service. We look forward to our continued long-lasting collaboration with GM, as we deliver on our commitment to supplying the highest quality products, advanced innovation, and superior customer service."

When you do what you do well, it shows. No matter what.

And earning its sixth Supplier of the Year nod from General Motors is proof of just how well Cooper-Standard Automotive Inc. does what it does.

"We are proud to be again recognized by General Motors for our commitment to sustainable solutions that meet the needs of the evolving mobility industry," Shannon Quinn, Cooper-Standard vice president and chief commercial and strategy officer, said in statement.

Cooper-Standard's solutions may be evolving, but even so it's quality has never wavered. Even when times were tough.

The sealing and fluid handling product maker has been working to right its financial ship for several years, and it's getting closer to doing so every single day. One reason for its successful steps forward is the smart, routine investments in innovation. That is paying off, CEO Jeffrey Edwards said during a recent investors call, in the company's growing sales year-over-year, and also in how its growing sales across electric vehicle platforms.

But the GM award signals more than that.

The honor signals that the auto supplier has not lost sight of its customer service efforts either. Even as it worked to renegotiate contracts and bring the latest in innovation to the market.

"Our highly engaged team is dedicated to developing breakthrough innovations and implementing cutting-edge manufacturing and business processes to deliver the highest quality and most robust solutions," Quinn said. "This latest Supplier of the Year award is a testament to their hard work."

Northville, Mich.-based Cooper-Standard serves the global automotive industry with its sealing and fluid handling solutions. The company, ranked among the largest 100 automotive suppliers by Automotive News, posted sales of $2.53 billion in 2022.

The future of the auto industry is electric.

So you can bet that the future of Dana Inc. is, too.

And as the company looks to grow and evolve in a rapidly changing automotive sector, Dana CEO and Chairman James Kamsickas, said the focus increasingly will be on providing solutions for electric vehicles.

As it moves forward with innovation and sustainability in mind, it will continue to deliver the same kind of quality products that have earned it a reputation for quality. The kind of reputation that garnered the company's sixth Supplier of the Year honor from GM.

"Dana is honored to have again been named a top supplier to General Motors as we continue to innovate together toward a more sustainable and electrified future," Kamsickas said in a statement. "We have supported General Motors for nearly 120 years, and we look forward to continuing to provide this important customer outstanding value and service through operational excellence and exceptional product technology."

Maumee, Ohio-based Dana designs and manufactures "highly efficient propulsion and energy-management solutions that power vehicles and machines in all mobility markets across the globe." Its solutions include drive and motion systems; electrodynamic technologies; and thermal, sealing, and digital solutions.

The company, ranked among the top 30 global automotive suppliers by Automotive News, reported sales of around $10.2 billion last year.

For Tenneco, the sixth time is still the charm.

The Lake Forest, Ill-based supplier earned GM's Supplier of the Year honor for the sixth straight year, with its powertrain business being named for the recognition for the fourth time in as many years.

“We are grateful for this honor,” Davide Girelli, executive vice president of Tenneco and president of the powertrain division said in a statement. “I thank GM for its business and the trust it continues to place in our team. Receiving this important award again for 2022 is due, in large part, to a history of successful collaboration over many years. I am proud of how our teams work hard to maintain outstanding performance and deliver innovative, high-value solutions for GM.”

And the 2022 supplier honor comes on the heels of a very busy year for Tenneco.

The company, in February 2022 agreed to a $7.1 billion acquisition by private equity firm Apollo Global Management. Shareholders approved the move in June and the deal was closed Nov. 17, taking Tenneco private.

Following the acquisition, the company saw new leadership as well. Jim Voss stepped into the CEO role, succeeding Brian Kessler who had signaled that he would step aside following the successful closure of the acquisition by Apollo.

According to Apollo, Voss brings extensive manufacturing and management experience to the post, having spent more than 25 years in the specialty materials industry. He has served as an operating partner to Apollo Funds since 2012.

Most recently, Voss was the president and CEO of Vectra, a technology-based industrial growth company.

Tenneco, according to Automotive News, was the 12th largest automotive supplier.

It's no secret that rubbers play a critical role in moving the automotive industry forward. And that, of course, is where ExxonMobil comes in.

For 2022, GM recognized ExxonMobil Product Solutions for its contributions.

According to ExxonMobil, the company's products and solutions segment focuses on "the building blocks" synthetic rubbers and plastics that find their ways into a number of consumer goods—including GM vehicles.

ExxonMobil Product Solutions' portfolio includes butyl, EPDM, polyolefin elastomers and Escorez-brand tackifiers as well as branched higher olefins and solvents and fluids.