Daimler Recognizes Best Suppliers

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

- Announcement on the occasion of the annual �Daimler Key Supplier Meeting�
- 14 partners from all business units honoured

Stuttgart, Germany, Mar 19, 2010 - On the occasion of its annual �Daimler Key Supplier Meeting� on March 18 in Stuttgart, Daimler AG recognized its best suppliers for their contributions with the �Daimler Supplier Award 2009�. During this year�s meeting, 13 companies received awards in various categories, complemented by a special award for innovation.


With the �Daimler Supplier Award�, the company recognizes outstanding performance, which is determined based on a globally effective rating system. The principles of this rating system are defined in Daimler�s supplier cooperation model, the �Daimler Supplier Network�, and comprise the four value drivers quality, cost, logistics, and technology/innovation. Following the guiding idea of �Commitment to Excellence�, the cooperation model, which was first introduced a year ago, emphasizes the idea of a performance-based partnership. Further key elements of Daimler�s cooperation with its suppliers are the values of fairness, reliability, and trust.

Addressing the meeting, Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, underlined the significance of the company�s suppliers. He also emphasised that � after the joint efforts during 2009 � there is good reason for confidence.

�We�ll go for the best or nothing. We�ll demand that of ourselves and of you.� Dr. Zetsche stated in reference to Daimler�s view on the further development of the cooperation with its partners.

Daimler had again invited its most important suppliers to participate in the conference. The company welcomed about 600 external and internal guests.
On behalf of Daimler�s Board of Management, whose members were all attending the conference, Dr. Zetsche thanked the company�s suppliers for their contributions to jointly master what arguably was the most challenging year the global automotive industry had to face in more than half a century.

Winners of the �Daimler Supplier Award 2009� are:

Daimler Trucks and Buses
Exterior: Polyplex AG, Switzerland
Interior: TAKATA PETRI AG, Japan
Mechatronics: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., Japan
Chassis: Kirchhoff Witte GmbH, Germany
Powertrain: ElringKlinger AG, Germany

Mercedes-Benz Cars and Vans
Exterior: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KG, Germany
Interior: C. Rob. Hammerstein GmbH & Co. KG, Germany
Electrics/Electronics: Kromberg & Schubert GmbH & Co. KG, Germany
Chassis: Willi Elbe Gelenkwellen GmbH & Co. KG, Germany
Powertrain: ThyssenKrupp Gerlach, Germany

International Procurement Services
Construction and Facility Management: Rudolf Fritz GmbH & Co. KG, Germany
IT, General Goods & Services: Computacenter AG & Co. OHG, Germany
Manufacturing Equipment & Services: Fuchs Petrolub AG, Germany

Special Award Innovation
Robert Bosch GmbH, Germany

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