OREANDA-NEWS. September 22, 2015. Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa has awarded Federal-Mogul Motorparts South Africa top-level Q1 Preferred Quality Status in recognition of its Port Elizabeth plant meeting Ford’s stringent global supplier standards.

“The Ford Q1 Preferred Quality Status is a global accreditation that recognises a supplier’s ability to achieve and maintain the highest levels of production quality and delivery,” said John Cameron, Plant Manager, Ford Struandale Engine Plant.

Companies are assessed on an ongoing basis by Ford’s supplier division on a wide range of measurables, from production to service, delivery, warranty, documentation and interaction with Ford. They are also required to maintain externally audited ISO/TS 16949 quality certification and ISO 14001 environmental accreditation.

“Federal-Mogul Motorparts South Africa achieved Q1 status in the second quarter of 2015 after more than six months exceeding the required minimum scores,” Cameron added. “We’re delighted to acknowledge this achievement and present the team with the Q1 plaque and flag to reflect this status.”

The hand-over was done at the Federal-Mogul Motorparts plant in Port Elizabeth, and was received by Plant Manager Antony Funston.

“Our team has worked really hard to achieve Ford Q1 status, so this is something we can be truly proud of,” Funston stated. “Q1 is not just a measure of quality, but measures our business on a wide range of criteria to ensure that we are able to supply exceptional quality products on time, every time.

“Ford is an industry leader in terms of measuring and scoring its suppliers on an ongoing basis, which ensures that Q1-rated companies can sustainably produce the highest quality parts according to schedule, and that is what our entire team has proudly achieved.”

Federal-Mogul manufactures a wide range of gaskets and heat shields at its local facility for the Ford Ranger which is assembled at Ford’s Silverton Assembly Plant in Pretoria and exported to 148 markets in Africa and Europe. 

It also manufactures gaskets for the Duratorq TDCi diesel engine produced at the Struandale Engine Plant in Port Elizabeth, and exports parts to Ford of Europe for various models.