LEESBURG, Va. – REHAU announces that its plant in Celaya, Mexico has been awarded Q1 certification by the Ford Motor Company.  The Q1 certification recognizes REHAU as a preferred Ford supplier of extruded parts and assemblies, including roof ditch moldings and windshield moldings, for its Fiesta, Fusion and Lobo vehicle models.  To achieve this prestigious designation, REHAU was required to meet stringent criteria including: International Organization of Standardization (TS 16949  and  ISO 14001) certification; proper implementation of quality operating and management systems and environmental management systems; and the provision of customer endorsements.  REHAU achieved the maximum possible score in its evaluation, and is the first and only supplier located in Mexico to receive such a score during the Q1 certification process.

A ceremony was held at the Celaya plant on August 26, during which REHAU North American vice president, sales and marketing Christian Fabian formally accepted the Q1 certification from representatives of the Ford Motor Company.  Others in attendance included: Karina Contreras of the state of Guanajuato’s investors support office; German ambassador to Mexico Dr. Edmund Duckwitz; German state of Bavaria representative to Mexico Christian Weber; REHAU Automotive LLC key account manager Wanda Accra Barnes; and several other REHAU customers and employees.

“We are honored to accept this award, and to subsequently join rank among the world’s top automotive suppliers to the Ford Motor Company,” said Ulrich Schaefer, REHAU plant manager in Celaya and member of the company’s national steering committee for Mexico and Central America.  “Achieving Ford Q1 certification undoubtedly reflects REHAU’s commitment to quality, innovation and superior customer service, and we look forward to our continued delivery on these tenets as we address the needs of a dynamic global automotive industry.”

“To be recognized as a Ford Q1 supplier, the REHAU Celaya plant was required to achieve a high level of performance for six consecutive months prior to being awarded with official certification, and maintain that level on an ongoing basis,” explained Stephan Joachim, REHAU sales director and member of the company’s national steering committee for Mexico and Central America.  “During the evaluation process, Ford and REHAU also agreed on metrics for achievement, and participated in regular meetings to assess progress.” 

According to Joachim, as a Ford Q1 certification recipient the REHAU Celaya plant also receives preferred status for new sourcing within targeted commodities, and qualifies to be considered for Ford’s World Excellence Award.

REHAU’s Celaya plant has supplied to Ford since 2004, when it received its first automotive contract from Vitro as a Tier-2 supplier for the manufacture of a lateral glass molding on the Ford Focus.  Further contract awards over the years, including for the production of roof ditch moldings for the Ford Fiesta, prompted an expansion of the Celaya facility in 2009.  During that period the plant was also successful in securing and maintaining several manufacturing quality certifications, including TS 16949, ISO 9000 and ISO 14000. 

On a global scale, REHAU has been a supplier to Ford since 1984, when it won the contract to design and supply a new type of windshield molding for the Ford Taurus.  This innovative co-extruded molding eventually replaced Ford’s traditional metal clip-on style molding across all Ford vehicle models, and became an industry benchmark for quality and craftsmanship, as well as for streamlining cost and labor.

Over the past three decades, REHAU has continued to develop polymer solutions for Ford that have set industry standards in weatherability, durability and general design functionality.  In 2006, REHAU was recognized by Ford with a Silver World Excellence Award for superior-level product quality, cost and delivery in its supply of the Ford Fiesta rear spoiler.  Manufactured in a specialized blow molded process at the REHAU plant in Viechtach, Germany, the spoiler features unique components in both their advanced aerodynamic attributes and ability to be painted to exactly match a vehicle’s body color. 

Presently, REHAU’s Celaya plant continues to expand its automotive business in belt line, roof ditch and windshield molding extrusion, and by 2013 will produce 3 million car sets annually.  This includes contracts from Ford, as well as a variety of other automotive OEMs.

For additional information, contact REHAU’s North American headquarters: 1501 Edwards Ferry Rd., N.E., Leesburg, Va., 20176. Phone: 1.800.247.9445. Fax: 1.800.627.3428. Email: rehau.mailbox@rehau.com. Web site: www.na.rehau.com. 

To reach REHAU S.A. de C.V. in Celaya, contact: Carretera Libre – Queretaro KM 8.5, Rancho Nuevo, Apaseo el Grande, Guanajuato C.P. 38192. Phone: +461.618.80.50. Fax: +461.618.80.79. Email: informes@rehau.com. Web site: www.rehau.com.mx.

REHAU delivers “Unlimited Polymer Solutions,” and is the premium worldwide brand for polymer-based innovations and systems in construction, automotive and industry. The company generates continuous growth through its expertise and innovative capabilities in materials development, systems design and surface technology. Approximately 15,000 employees at more than 170 locations around the world ensure success of the independent, privately held company.