Yanfeng Automotive Interiors (YFAI), the global leader in automotive interior solutions, yesterday recognized the outstanding achievements of its European suppliers with the Supplier Award. A total of 15 interiors suppliers were presented with awards at the Classic Remise in Düsseldorf.

This year, companies providing plastics, resins, chemicals, foams, trim and metal components received the YFAI European Supplier Award in six different categories. Key criteria for the award were factors such as quality, cost, logistics, development, technology and service. Depending on total points earned, YFAI presented the suppliers with either a "Supplier of the Year," "Distinguished Supplier," or "Supplier Excellence" award in various categories.

"Our suppliers are key to our global success. The Supplier Award is given in honor of the outstanding quality and continuous reliability of our partners," said James Bos, Vice President Global Procurement for YFAI. A total of three global enterprises received the "Supplier of the Year" award: BASF from Germany, Algontec S.L. from Spain, and HOEKO - Automotive s.r.o. from the Czech Republic.

BASF is a leading supplier of basic components, systems and specialties made from polyurethane for the global market. In Europe, the company develops, produces and sells from the site Lemfoerde, Germany, numerous polyurethane systems used in several YFAI products. Hans Peter Beringer, Vice President Transportation Europe of the division Performance Materials at BASF, is pleased to win the award: "We have been collaborating with YFAI on developing innovation since 2015 - and with great success. Winning the Bronze Award last year makes being awarded 'Supplier of the Year' this year all the more special."

The Distinguished Supplier Award went to five global companies from the supply sector: Total Research & Technology Feluy from Belgium, German manufacturers Lübke & Vogt GmbH & Co. KG and Dr. Schneider Kunststoffwerke GmbH, the Polish company IZOBLOK S.A., and TR Fastenings Ltd. from the Netherlands. Seven suppliers received the Supplier Excellence Award in the categories of Service, Customer Satisfaction, Quality and Technological Innovation. In the Service category, the winners were CIE Plasfil from Portugal, Halung GmbH & Co. KG from Germany, DSSI International LLC from Slovakia, and the Belgian supplier Surtechno n.v. German manufacturer Mürdter Werkzeug- und Formenbau GmbH won the Supplier Excellence Award for Customer Satisfaction; SFS intec GmbH from Austria in the Quality category, and Beaulieu Fibres International from Belgium for Technological Innovation.

Yanfeng Automotive Interiors (YFAI), the world's leading supplier of instrument panels, cockpit systems, door panels and floor consoles and KOSTAL, one of the world's leading automotive suppliers of mechatronic HMI-components today announced the formation of a new strategic partnership. The CEOs of both companies, Johannes Roters and Andreas Kostal, signed a memorandum of understanding with the intent of cooperating in the field of smart interior surfaces.

With the new strategic partnership, both parties are drawing on the market trend towards the integration of HMI operating controls into high-quality surfaces in vehicle interiors.

"As a global leading provider for the development and production of mechatronic modules, switch panels and switches for the automotive industry, and with more than 100 years of experience, KOSTAL is the best possible partner in this field," said Johannes Roters, CEO of Yanfeng Automotive Interiors. "The combination of technology and expertise both companies offer provides our customers with many advantages along the entire value chain."

"The car interior will undergo an exciting evolution within the next decade. With the cooperation of YFAI and KOSTAL both partners should be able to extend their offer for their customers and drive the technological change," added Andreas Kostal, Chairman & CEO of the KOSTAL Group.

Both companies expect high potential not only in developing innovative solutions for smart interior surfaces but also for synergies in the whole value chain.

About KOSTAL:

The KOSTAL Group is an independent family-owned company that was founded in 1912 with the headquarters in Luedenscheid (Germany). KOSTAL develops and produces technologically sophisticated mechatronic modules, switch panels and switches and electronic control units for all important automobile brands worldwide. The KOSTAL Group has about 16,000 employees at 41 global locations in 21 countries on four continents working in the business areas Automotive Electrical Systems, Industrial Electronics, Connectors, Test Technology (SOMA) and Solar Electric. For more information, please visit www.kostal.com.