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!

“Organizations should apply regardless of winning.

It is a valuable process for any organization to undergo”.

“It validated from a 3rd party that what we were doing was good and measured our facility against other manufacturing plants that were doing things right”.

“It was a positive and motivational experience”.

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

CEO, StaffBright

Gloria Blanchard

HR Director, Brose

Michael Fahy

CEO, Neovia Logistics

Jim Barbaretta

General Manager, Brose Tuscaloosa

Kerry Curvey

HR Vice President, Purem

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.

“The Operational Excellence Awards gave us great recognition, industry, and
market presence”.

“Our team was very satisfied with the quality of the assessment content; it brought a lot of value. We have already implemented two of the recommendations”.

“Seraph really tried to understand our business model and our daily operations”.

“The judges brought a high caliber of expertise in evaluating applicants”.

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

All applicants must apply for an award by providing basic company information by filling out the form at the bottom of this page. Applicants will be forwarded to a welcome letter on the online supplier questionnaire, where they should click “Start Application” and make an account. The supplier questionnaire will cover questions across four key areas; operations, quality, human resources and logistics. Once you have access to the online supplier questionnaire, you may invite collaborators to fill-in specific sections of the questionnaire. The answers to the supplier questionnaire will be scored, and the eight applicants who score the highest will move onto Round Two.
 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
  Chroma
     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.

“The networking opportunities led to a business deal in the making”.

“Outstanding, elegant, and classy event”.

“It was an incredible evening focused on celebrating automotive manufacturing”.

Apply for an Award Today.

Does your organization drive the future of operational excellence?

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