Get the Recognition Your Team Deserves
We’re celebrating examples of excellence in automotive manufacturing across North America.
Welcome to the 2024 Seraph Operational Excellence Awards.
The North American automotive manufacturing industry is an engine for regional progress and prosperity. We know that you, the exceptional suppliers, are the ones driving this industry forward.
The last few years have been tough. But you’ve adapted and overcome. And that’s why we want to hear from you.
Our Operational Excellence Awards are your chance to showcase your outstanding achievements in operations, quality, logistics, and human resources. Don’t keep your hard work a secret – share it with the world and get the recognition you deserve.
So what are you waiting for? Apply now and join us in celebrating the best of the best in North American automotive manufacturing. We can’t wait to see what you’ve got.
A message from our President Thomas Kowal about the Seraph Operational Excellence Awards.
Does one of your manufacturing plants raise the bar of operational excellence?
2024 Seraph Operational Excellence Awards Categories.
Awards will be presented across five categories in the world of automotive manufacturing. These categories include:
01 Operations
Is the daily operation managed so that tasks are resolved and customer communication is effective?
02 Quality
Is there a quality system established to support long-term production and consistent root cause analysis?
03 Human Resources
Does the organization foster a safe, best-in-class work environment that leads to strong recruitment efforts and low employee turnover?
04 Logistics
Are all responsible parties aligned to ensure that raw material requirements are met without disruptions?
05 Overall Best Supplier
The Overall Best Supplier Award will be presented to the organization that scores highest across the above categories.
Hear from last year’s winners!
Our judges.
Winning a Seraph Operational Excellence Award is more than a prestigious achievement — every Award signifies recognition from automotive experts at the top of their fields.
Industry Experts
Over 150 years’ combined experience
John Dunn
President, The Shyft Group
Chris Grabmiller
Gloria Blanchard
Michael Fahy
CEO, Neovia Logistics
Jim Barbaretta
Kerry Curvey
Seraph Experts
Over 100 years’ combined experience
Thomas Kowal
President, North America
Wade Phillips
President, Europe
Richard Payne
Managing Director
Jay Butler
Managing Director
Great judges. Good cause.
In recognition of the time, energy, and commitment of our judges, we will be donating $5,000 in the name of each judge to a charity of their choice.
2024 RECIPIENTS
2023 RECIPIENTS
Why enter for an Operational Excellence Award?
Entering your organization for a Seraph Operational Excellence Award can lead to far-reaching industry recognition, future partnership opportunities, and a new perspective on operational excellence.
There is no cost to apply.
If you are a supplier that has a plant location that is pushing the automotive industry forward, reliably making great parts, we think you deserve to be celebrated!
Who should apply:
Automotive Tier 1 and 2 suppliers, including automotive aftermarket manufactures with operations in North America that achieve exceptional results are eligible to apply for the Seraph Operational Excellence Awards. Please note that each application is for a single plant, so we encourage you to put forward your best! You can submit an application for each of your top performing manufacturing facilities. Winning plants from previous years may reapply, including other manufacturing facilities within the organization.
What to expect:
Applicants must complete an online supplier questionnaire specific to each plant location that is applying. The questionnaire takes approximately one hour to complete and assesses your facility against your peers in four key categories: operations, quality, human resources, and logistics. There is no need to choose a specific category to apply for. Completing the application automatically considers you for all five awards. All information shared during the process is confidential and each judge has signed an NDA, our privacy policy is available here.
Industry Recognition
Opportunity to be recognized as a top supplier, winners will be promoted extensively through social media, the press, industry organizations and targeted advertising.
Thorough Assessment
Seraph will conduct a 1-day on-site assessment for the top eight finalists, valued at over $10,000. Timing and audit duration will be accommodated based on each applicant’s availability.
Expert Evaluation
Be evaluated by a judging panel of industry experts with prominent leadership positions.
The Awards Process.
Online Applications
Due March 8th
Round One
Online Supplier Questionnaire
December 4 – March 8
Round TWO
Onsite Assessment
The eight organizations that received the highest scores from Round One will receive a no-cost on-site assessment performed by members of the Seraph team. Timing and audit duration will be accommodated based on applicant’s availability. The visit will be executed by seasoned automotive manufacturing consultants that will measure criteria like customer satisfaction, environment safety, inventory WIP level, equipment tooling state maintenance, and more. After completion of the 1-day assessment, your team will receive a thorough findings document that can be shared with your management team.
Mid March — April 30
Round THREE
Judging Panel Review
Our esteemed panel of judges will review findings from the plant assessment to select the top five category winners. All winners will be promoted via the press, social media and obtain the right to use the award mark on your website or any place you see fit.
Early May
FINAL
Awards Banquet
All winners will receive a complimentary reserved table to invite others from your organization to attend.
June 6, 2024
2937 E Grand Blvd
Detroit, MI 48202
About Seraph
We are a global operations and strategy consulting firm that works directly with OEM purchasing and supplier management teams. We’ve worked with hundreds of Automotive Tier 1 and 2 suppliers, including automotive aftermarket manufactures facilities to bring out the best in their teams and operations. We live and breathe automotive manufacturing and have dedicated our careers to improved stability, profitability and output for our clients.
An Evening of Celebration.
The banquet will bring industry experts together to share best practices in an evening of celebration. Whether you are an OEM or supplier, or simply work in the automotive industry, all are welcome.
We’re excited to host the 2024 Seraph Operational Excellence Awards at Chroma, in the heart of Detroit, Michigan on June 6th. Join us for a night of celebration including an award ceremony, mingling with industry peers, dinner, and cheers.
Apply for an Award Today.
Applications for 2024 are being accepted from December 4, 2023 through March 8, 2024.
Each plant location that is applying must fill-out the below form.
We don’t share your information.
Questions?
Reach out to awards@seraph.com