Yanfeng Automotive Interiors, the world’s largest supplier of automotive interiors, celebrated 19 of its suppliers during the North America Supplier Performance Awards Ceremony.

“Each year, this event is an opportunity for us to recognize our suppliers for their commitment to excellence,” said Jim Bos, vice president, global procurement, for Yanfeng Automotive Interiors. “Their dedication enables our team to provide our customers with the high-quality products they’ve come to know from YFAI.”

Yanfeng Automotive Interiors, the world’s largest supplier of automotive interiors, celebrated 19 of its suppliers during the North America Supplier Performance Awards Ceremony.

“Each year, this event is an opportunity for us to recognize our suppliers for their commitment to excellence,” said Jim Bos, vice president, global procurement, for Yanfeng Automotive Interiors. “Their dedication enables our team to provide our customers with the high-quality products they’ve come to know from YFAI.”

The Supplier Performance Awards honor the company’s top suppliers for their outstanding track record in the areas of quality, cost, logistics, development, technology, and service.

Distinguished Supplier recipients:

• Acoustek Nonwovens                                        Statesville, North Carolina
• Alutrim                                                              Lebanon, Kentucky
• Automatic Spring Products Corporation              Grand Haven, Michigan
• Burnex Corporation                                           Ringwood, Illinois
• Canadian General Tower                                   Cambridge, Ontario, Canada
• Derby Fabricating Solutions, LLC                       Sidney, Ohio
• Eagle Industries, Inc.                                         Wixom, Michigan
• GDC, Inc.                                                          Goshen, Indiana
• MultiTech Industries                                           Carol Stream, Illinois
• S/G Electronics, Inc.                                          Cordova, Tennessee
• Termax Corporation                                          Lake Zurich, Illinois
• TR Fastenings                                                   Houston, Texas

Supplier Excellence – Quality recipient:

• A&K Finishing, Inc.                                            Grand Rapids, Michigan

Supplier Excellence - Technology Innovation recipient:

• Prisma Renewable Composites                          Knoxville, Tennessee

Supplier Excellence- Customer Satisfaction recipients:

• Active On-Demand                                            Belleville, Michigan
• DOSG Transportes                                            Arteaga, Coahuila De Zaragoza, México
• HFI                                                                   Canal Winchester, Ohio

Supplier Excellence- Diversity recipients:

• DSSI, LLC                                                         Farmington Hills, Michigan
• HJI Supply Chain Solutions                               Louisville, Kentucky

Last week, Yanfeng a leading global automotive supplier, was awarded a Red Dot Design Concept Award in the category “Mobility" for high design quality for the company’s Experience in Motion 2020 (XiM20) autonomous rideshare interior concept that was unveiled in January 2019. The award was presented at the Red Dot Gala award ceremony in Singapore. Tim Shih, Vice President, Design and User Experience for Yanfeng Technology accepted the award.

Last week, Yanfeng a leading global automotive supplier, was awarded a Red Dot Design Concept Award in the category “Mobility" for high design quality for the company’s Experience in Motion 2020 (XiM20) autonomous rideshare interior concept that was unveiled in January 2019. The award was presented at the Red Dot Gala award ceremony in Singapore. Tim Shih, Vice President, Design and User Experience for Yanfeng Technology accepted the award.

“We are incredibly honored to receive this esteemed Red Dot Award for our XiM20 concept,” said Han Hendriks, Chief Technology Officer for Yanfeng Technology. “This award is a testament to the talent of our global research, design and innovation team. Their work is reflected in the XiM20 that features advanced technologies and product innovations that complement intuitive design, providing flexibility and comfort for future mobility – the autonomous rideshare passengers of tomorrow.” 

With the XiM20, Yanfeng recently unveiled its Smart Cabin vision for the automotive interior of the future. Not only delivering the physical environment for future mobility, Yanfeng’s Smart Cabin capabilities enable the coordination of features into a truly holistic Experience in Motion: information, displays, lighting, and interior ambience all react to passengers’ needs, and new forms of interaction bring surprise and delight in the mobility space. The XiM20 is a reflection of the most in-depth primary research the company has done to date.

The Red Dot appraises diversity in the field of design in a professional manner. The award breaks down into three disciplines: the Red Dot Award: Product Design, Red Dot Award: Brands & Communication Design and Red Dot Award: Design Concept. Each competition is organized once every year. The products, communication projects as well as design concepts and prototypes entered in the competition are evaluated by the Red Dot Jury, which convenes for each competition based on the individual specialist areas of the members. 

This year over 4200 entries from 48 countries were received. The Red Dot Design Concept was awarded to 214 concepts. Only six percent of the entries were awarded a Red Dot, making an achievement in the Red Dot Award: Design Concept an outstanding accomplishment. The award for design concept accepts design concepts for products, services or communication designs that are not already mass-produced and sold in the market at the time of submission to the competition.

Editor’s Note: Images of the XiM20 are available at the press room on yfai.com

About Yanfeng:

Yanfeng is a leading global automotive supplier, focusing on interior, exterior, seating, cockpit electronics, and passive safety, and is exploring new business actively. Yanfeng has more than 240 branches and approximately 68,000 employees worldwide. The technical team of 7,000 experts is in 13 R&D centers and other regional offices, with complete capabilities including engineering & software development, styling, and test validation. Focusing on Smart Cabin and lightweight technology, Yanfeng supports automakers to explore future mobile spaces and provide leading cabin solutions.
For more information, please visit www.yfai.com or www.yanfeng.com.

Last week, Yanfeng a leading global automotive supplier, was awarded a Red Dot Design Concept Award in the category “Mobility" for high design quality for the company’s Experience in Motion 2020 (XiM20) autonomous rideshare interior concept that was unveiled in January 2019. The award was presented at the Red Dot Gala award ceremony in Singapore. Tim Shih, Vice President, Design and User Experience for Yanfeng Technology accepted the award.

Last week, Yanfeng a leading global automotive supplier, was awarded a Red Dot Design Concept Award in the category “Mobility" for high design quality for the company’s Experience in Motion 2020 (XiM20) autonomous rideshare interior concept that was unveiled in January 2019. The award was presented at the Red Dot Gala award ceremony in Singapore. Tim Shih, Vice President, Design and User Experience for Yanfeng Technology accepted the award.

“We are incredibly honored to receive this esteemed Red Dot Award for our XiM20 concept,” said Han Hendriks, Chief Technology Officer for Yanfeng Technology. “This award is a testament to the talent of our global research, design and innovation team. Their work is reflected in the XiM20 that features advanced technologies and product innovations that complement intuitive design, providing flexibility and comfort for future mobility – the autonomous rideshare passengers of tomorrow.” 

With the XiM20, Yanfeng recently unveiled its Smart Cabin vision for the automotive interior of the future. Not only delivering the physical environment for future mobility, Yanfeng’s Smart Cabin capabilities enable the coordination of features into a truly holistic Experience in Motion: information, displays, lighting, and interior ambience all react to passengers’ needs, and new forms of interaction bring surprise and delight in the mobility space. The XiM20 is a reflection of the most in-depth primary research the company has done to date.

The Red Dot appraises diversity in the field of design in a professional manner. The award breaks down into three disciplines: the Red Dot Award: Product Design, Red Dot Award: Brands & Communication Design and Red Dot Award: Design Concept. Each competition is organized once every year. The products, communication projects as well as design concepts and prototypes entered in the competition are evaluated by the Red Dot Jury, which convenes for each competition based on the individual specialist areas of the members. 

This year over 4200 entries from 48 countries were received. The Red Dot Design Concept was awarded to 214 concepts. Only six percent of the entries were awarded a Red Dot, making an achievement in the Red Dot Award: Design Concept an outstanding accomplishment. The award for design concept accepts design concepts for products, services or communication designs that are not already mass-produced and sold in the market at the time of submission to the competition.

Editor’s Note: Images of the XiM20 are available at the press room on yfai.com

About Yanfeng:

Yanfeng is a leading global automotive supplier, focusing on interior, exterior, seating, cockpit electronics, and passive safety, and is exploring new business actively. Yanfeng has more than 240 branches and approximately 68,000 employees worldwide. The technical team of 7,000 experts is in 13 R&D centers and other regional offices, with complete capabilities including engineering & software development, styling, and test validation. Focusing on Smart Cabin and lightweight technology, Yanfeng supports automakers to explore future mobile spaces and provide leading cabin solutions.
For more information, please visit www.yfai.com or www.yanfeng.com.

• Yanfeng Automotive Interiors honored by Ford Motor Company with an Aligned Business Framework World Excellence Award
• Ford’s World Excellence Awards honor companies that exceed expectations and achieve the highest levels of excellence in quality, cost, performance and delivery
• Awards span 10 categories, including quality, sustainability, safe, smart, aligned business framework, special recognition, diverse supplier of the year, supplier diversity development corporation of the year, gold and silver

• Yanfeng Automotive Interiors honored by Ford Motor Company with an Aligned Business Framework World Excellence Award
• Ford’s World Excellence Awards honor companies that exceed expectations and achieve the highest levels of excellence in quality, cost, performance and delivery
• Awards span 10 categories, including quality, sustainability, safe, smart, aligned business framework, special recognition, diverse supplier of the year, supplier diversity development corporation of the year, gold and silver

Yanfeng Automotive Interiors (YFAI) was recognized as a top-performing global supplier at the 21st annual Ford World Excellence Awards. YFAI was presented with an Aligned Business Framework World Excellence Award by Hau Thai-Tang, Ford chief product development and purchasing officer and Linda Cash, Ford vice president, quality and new model programs.

“Being one of five suppliers globally to receive an Aligned Business Framework World Excellence Award from Ford is truly an honor for the entire Yanfeng Automotive Interiors team,” said Steve Meszaros, CEO of YFAI. “This award is the result of YFAI’s focus and commitment to providing Ford with quality products, value and innovation in all that we do.”

“Ford’s annual World Excellence Awards recognize our top-performing suppliers for their contributions to our success,” said Hau Thai-Tang. “Suppliers like Yanfeng Automotive Interiors play an instrumental role in helping us achieve our vision of being the most trusted mobility company.”

Honorees were recognized for achieving the highest levels of global excellence in 10 categories, including:

• Quality, sustainability, safe and smart categories for suppliers that demonstrate leadership in Ford’s primary brand pillars
• Aligned business framework for suppliers that most exemplify the framework’s principles, with an emphasis on quality, value and innovation
• Special recognition for suppliers that delivered results exceeding expectations
• Diverse supplier of the year and supplier diversity development corporation of the year to honor suppliers that excel in integrating diversity into their organization and business process
• Gold and silver for supplier manufacturing sites demonstrating superior quality, delivery and cost performance throughout the year

Yanfeng Automotive Interiors, the world’s largest supplier of automotive interiors, honored 26 of its suppliers recently during the Americas Supplier Performance Awards Ceremony at its technical center in Holland, Mich.

“We are honored to recognize our top suppliers and their teams, for their hard work and dedication,” said Jim Bos, vice president, global procurement, for Yanfeng Automotive Interiors. “Their commitment enables us to better supply our customers with products that meet and exceed expectations.”

The Supplier Performance Awards honor the company’s top suppliers for their outstanding track record in the areas of quality, cost, logistics, development, technology and service.

Distinguished Supplier recipients:

• A&K Finishing, Inc., Grand Rapids, Mich.
• CS Manufacturing, Cedar Springs, Mich.
• Display Pack, Inc., Cedar Springs, Mich.
• Everwill Industrial Ltd., Shenzen, China
• GDC, Inc., Goshen, Ind.
• JD Norman Industries, Addison, Ill.
• Sunway, Novi, Mich.
• Team 1 Plastics, Inc., Albion, Mich.
• US Farathane Corporation, Auburn Hills, Mich

Supplier Excellence- Quality recipients:

• Acoustek Nonwovens, Statesville, N.C.
• MultiTech Industries, Carol Stream, Ill.

Supplier Excellence - Service recipients:

• Buckland Global Trade Services, Port Huron, Mich.
• Clarion Technologies, Holland, Mich.
• ExxonMobil Chemical Company, Spring, Texas
• Total Fleet Solutions, Perrysburg, Ohio
• TR Fastenings, Houston, Texas
• West Michigan Molding, Grand Haven, Mich.

Supplier Excellence - Technology Innovation recipients:

• Helcor-Leder-Tec GmbH, Hehlen, Germany
• Koops, Inc., Holland, Mich.

Supplier Excellence- Customer Satisfaction recipients:

• American Autocoat, Inc, Hudsonville, Mich.
• Canadian General Tower, Cambridge, Ontario, Canada
• Derby Fabricating, Louisville, Kentucky
• Eagle Industries, Wixom, Mich.
• Hitop Mold Industrial Co., Ltd, ChanAn Dongguan, China
• Informs,  Holland, Mich.
• SGE, Cordova, Tenn.

Yanfeng Automotive Interiors (YFAI) and Prisma Renewable Composites announced today that the companies have entered into an agreement giving YFAI exclusive use of Prisma’s lignin-based material in the development of automotive interiors.

Yanfeng Automotive Interiors (YFAI) and Prisma Renewable Composites announced today that the companies have entered into an agreement giving YFAI exclusive use of Prisma’s lignin-based material in the development of automotive interiors.

Prisma's BioLAN^TM material is produced using lignin, a natural byproduct of the pulp and paper making process. Lignin is essentially the “glue” that surrounds the cell walls of living plants like trees and grasses. It contains a vast amount of the world’s carbon and has the potential, if modified correctly, to replace many of the petrochemical-based products we use in everyday life.

The agreement includes plans to introduce Prisma’s BioLAN^TM material to YFAI’s broad customer base for use in various automotive interior applications. Prisma’s technology is a sustainable alternative to Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) plastic, which is used broadly in the automotive industry.

Through Prisma’s lignin technology, petrochemicals are partially replaced by natural polymers. The resulting BioLAN^TM material improves key properties of traditional ABS plastic, including cost, higher UV resistance, and higher tensile strength while reducing total greenhouse gas emissions.

“YFAI continually looks outside of the industry for materials that not only have applicability for use in automotive interiors, but also are beneficial from a sustainability perspective,” said Jeff Stout, Executive Director, innovation and new mobility, North America, for YFAI. “We see great promise in the BioLAN^TM material.”

“Prisma and YFAI’s agreement is an important step forward in environmental stewardship and is one of the  first of its kind regarding this application for lignin,” said Adam McCall, Founder and CEO, Prisma Renewable Composites. “For decades, it has been the dream of many scientists to find a higher value purpose for lignin, due to its incredible potential.”

About Yanfeng Automotive Interiors:

Yanfeng Automotive Interiors (YFAI) is the global leader in automotive interiors. YFAI is redefining how people relax, work and play in their vehicle interiors today and decades from now. Headquartered in Shanghai, the company has approximately 110 manufacturing plants and technical centers in 19 countries and more than 33,000 employees globally. They design, develop and manufacture interior components for all automakers. Established in 2015, Yanfeng Automotive Interiors is a joint venture between Yanfeng, one of the largest automotive suppliers in China and Adient, the global leader in automotive seating. For more information, please visit www.YFAI.com. A sketch of how the technology works is available on the YFAI media center at https://www.yfai.com/sites/yfai_corporate/files/yfai_-_prisma.jpg.

About Prisma Renewable Composites:

Prisma Renewable Composites is a biomaterials company creating technologies to produce high value composite materials, including carbon fibers and polymers, all of which contain lignin, a highly renewable organic polymer. In June 2018, Domtar Corp. (NYSE: UFS), acquired a majority stake in Prisma, further securing a robust lignin supply chain, which Domtar and Prisma have tailored towards Prisma’s technology to service customers, including the Automotive Industry. To learn more, visit www.prismacomposites.com.

About Domtar:

Domtar is a leading provider of a wide variety of fiber-based products including communication, specialty and packaging papers, market pulp, and absorbent hygiene products. With approximately 10,000 employees serving more than 50 countries around the world, Domtar is driven by a commitment to turn sustainable wood fiber into useful products that people rely on every day. Domtar’s annual sales are approximately $5.5 billion, and its common stock is traded on the New York and Toronto Stock Exchanges. Domtar’s principal executive office is in Fort Mill, South Carolina. To learn more, visit www.domtar.com.

Yanfeng Automotive Interiors (YFAI) recently received the Toyota Value Improvement Award 2018 and other honors from Toyota Motor North America. This award was presented to YFAI at Toyota’s Annual Supplier Business Meeting in Detroit.

YFAI was honored with the Value Improvement Award which recognizes supplier performance in meeting general and individual targets for design and manufacturing improvements that result in mutually beneficial cost savings.

“We are truly honored to receive this award from Toyota,” said David Wang, Vice President and Deputy General Manager, North America for Yanfeng Automotive Interiors. “This award is a testament of our commitment to our customers and our mission of being our customers’ preferred partner for automotive interior solutions.”

At the event, YFAI also received Certificates of Achievement awards for two North American plants in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada and Holland, Michigan that support Toyota. The company also received a Supplier Diversity honor recognizing the company’s work with minority-owned companies.

YFAI supplies interior components for the Toyota Avalon, Camry, Highlander, RAV4, Sienna, Sequoia, Tacoma, Tundra, 4-Runner, as well as the Lexus ES and RX.

Recently, Toyota Motor North America presented YFAI with the Toyota Value Improvement Award 2018 and other honors at this year’s Annual Supplier Business Meeting in Detroit, Michigan.

This award recognized YFAI’s performance in meeting general and individual targets for design and manufacturing improvements that resulted in cost savings for YFAI and Toyota.

 “We are truly honored to receive this award from Toyota,” said David Wang, Vice President and Deputy General Manager, North America for Yanfeng Automotive Interiors. “This award is a testament of our commitment to our customers and our mission of being our customers’ preferred partner for automotive interior solutions.”

At the event, YFAI also received Certificates of Achievement awards for two North American plants in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada and Holland, Michigan that support Toyota. The company also received a Supplier Diversity honor recognizing the company’s work with minority-owned companies.

YFAI supplies interior components for the Toyota Avalon, Camry, Highlander, RAV4, Sienna, Sequoia, Tacoma, Tundra, 4-Runner, as well as the Lexus ES and RX.

Yanfeng Global Automotive Interior Systems Co, Ltd. (YFAI) announced that S&P Global Ratings (Standard and Poor’s) and Moody’s Investors Service (Moody’s), upheld their credit ratings of ‘BBB-’ and ‘Baa3’ both with a stable outlook. Moody’s updated their investment grade rating on January 31, 2019 and S&P on February 28, 2019. This is the third consecutive year that S&P and Moody’s have rated the company investment grade. Both ratings are subject to continuous monitoring by both agencies.

Standard & Poor’s has affirmed YFAI’s long-term corporate rating of BBB- with a stable outlook. S&P attributed their rating to such factors as a sound market position in automotive interiors; global presence; established relationships with major automakers; low debt leverage and prudent financial management.

Moody’s Investors Service has continued to assign a Baa3 issuer rating with a stable outlook in their update. This rating is based on credit considerations such as YFAI’s steady revenue generation, driven by a strong position in the global automotive interior market, as well as strong geographic diversification.

“We are pleased that S&P and Moody’s have both upheld their investment grade ratings for YFAI,” said Steve Meszaros, CEO of Yanfeng Automotive Interiors. “These ratings validate our status as an industry leader that is well positioned to execute our strategic priorities and serve our global customers in this period of significant evolution in the global automotive industry.”

“These ratings are an affirmation that our business is well-positioned in the global market,” said Michael Kleinheksel, CFO YFAI. “We continue to focus on disciplined execution and improved efficiency as we deliver our commitments to customers.”

This week, Yanfeng Automotive Interiors (YFAI) unveiled the Experience in Motion demonstrator 2020 (XiM20) in Sunnyvale, California. This is a fully autonomous rideshare concept, offering new consumer experiences that are customizable to passengers’ preferences to better suit their journeys.

YFAI showed this concept as part of a mobile exhibit that will be making stops at customer locations, as well as the company’s plants and tech centers.

“Approaching this next iteration of the XiM demonstrator, we knew it was critical to evaluate users’ wants and needs within the vehicle and outside of the mobility context,” said Han Hendriks, Chief Technology Officer, Yanfeng Automotive Interiors. “The insights gleaned from our research defined what impacts consumers’ quality of life and what creates memorable, engaging experiences. With the XiM20, advanced technologies and product innovations complement intuitive design, providing flexibility and comfort for the autonomous rideshare passengers of tomorrow.” 

The XiM20 interior is designed to enable the use of two distinct zones: the bright, airy front of the demonstrator and the more cocoon-like rear, offering lounge seating and privacy.

Features in the XiM20 include the Smart Interior Surface (SIS) Table,

UV Surface Sanitizer, Never-Forget Storage, Noveto Smart Audio, Visible Natural Fiber, Active Space, Bulletin Board, Slim Air vent, Active Cast Lighting, and Touch-Free Access.

Read more about the XiM20 here: Press Release 2019/01/23