Toyota Recognizes Top North American Suppliers for 2010

ERLANGER, Ky., March 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- DTR Industries, MAHLE, OTICS and U.S. Engine Valve, earned top recognition from Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. (TEMA) at its annual supplier business meeting today.  The awards recognize suppliers who exceeded the company's expectations in several categories.

DTR Industries located in Bluffton, Ohio; MAHLE in Farmington Hills, Michigan; OTICS in Morristown, Tennessee and U.S. Engine Valve in Westminster, South Carolina all received TEMA's Superior Award for quality performance.  

"Toyota works closely with each supplying partner in order to build our top quality vehicles," stated Robert Young, TEMA's purchasing vice president.  "This event emphasizes our suppliers' commitment to flexibility and continuous improvement, allowing Toyota to focus on building safe and reliable products."

During today's meeting, TEMA discussed business objectives with direct and indirect suppliers in preparation for the fiscal year beginning April 1.  Held at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center in Covington, the meeting brings together approximately 900 attendees from across North America.  

Toyota collectively spent nearly $25 billion on parts, goods and services last year in North America.  In the U.S. alone, there are about 50,000 supplier jobs dedicated to Toyota across more than 30 states.

Potential suppliers who wish to do business with Toyota can visit www.toyotasupplier.com for information on the company's purchasing policies, principles and supplier diversity efforts.

TEMA 2010 Supplier Award Recipients

QUALITY PERFORMANCE AWARDS

Awarded to suppliers who demonstrate quality in production, performance, delivery, warranty and service

VALUE IMPROVEMENT AWARDS

Awarded to suppliers who demonstrate value and cost competitiveness

SUPPLIER DIVERSITY AWARDS

Awarded to suppliers who implement supplier diversity activities and targets

LAUNCH PERFORMANCE AWARDS

Awarded to suppliers who demonstrate quality and delivery for new vehicles (Tacoma)

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE: TM) established operations in North America in 1957 and currently operates 14 manufacturing plants, including one under construction. There are more than 1,800 Toyota, Lexus and Scion dealerships in North America which sold more than 2 million vehicles in 2010. Toyota directly employs more than 35,000 in North America and its investment here is currently valued at more than $23 billion, including sales and manufacturing operations, research and development, financial services and design. Toyota's annual purchasing of parts, materials, goods and services from North American suppliers totals nearly $25 billion. Toyota currently produces 12 vehicles in North America, including the Avalon, Camry, Corolla, Highlander, Matrix, RAV4, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma, Tundra, Venza and the Lexus RX 350. For more information about Toyota, visit www.toyota.com or www.toyotanewsroom.com.

SOURCE Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.