Changzhou Giant Bearing Co., Ltd

On Wednesday, September 7 PSA Peugeot Citroën named NTN-SNR ROULEMENTS a "Key Supplier" as part of the automobile group's ongoing deployment of its "Supplier Relationship Excellence initiative". The award was presented at NTN-SNR's site in Annecy (Savoie, France), one of the group's main factories where latest generation wheel and gearbox bearings are developed, industrialised and manufactured.

NTN-SNR ROULEMENTS is the tenth supplier to receive the award following in the footsteps of SNOP, AGRATI, GESTAMP, AUTOLIV, ELECTRICFIL, AUTONEUM, MANN+HUMMEL and ALLEVARD. It is part of the NTN Corporation group, active in the "Metallurgy and Automotive" fields - 4.6 Billion Euros (FY2010), more than 19,000 personnel and 67 sites.

In addition to its 13 strategic suppliers, PSA is keen to recognise and reward key suppliers. These are mid-size companies with international operations that set the standard in their respective fields. The initiative's goal is to recognise 100 key suppliers by 2015.

PSA Peugeot Citroën is once again accelerating the deployment of measures to support the automobile industry in line with French government initiatives stemming from the January 2009 Automobile Summit and the creation of the Automotive Industry Platform.

In order to speed and support the supplier park transformation in the regions where it plays an important economic role, PSA Peugeot Citroën named four Regional Delegates in January. Their role is to reinforce actions undertaken by the government-appointed "Automobile Representatives" who report to regional prefects. The Delegates will be actively involved in efforts to bolster the French automobile industry.

Since PSA Peugeot Citroën's priority is to develop its supplier relationships into a lasting competitive advantage, in particular by creating shared value with suppliers, the Group is stepping up the implementation of tangible measures that support consolidation of the automobile industry.

The major criteria that played a key role in this award for NTN-SNR ROULEMENTS, a PSA partner for more than 30 years for wheel and gearbox bearings for PSA vehicles, were the company's capacity to support PSA's development strategy for Europe and internationally (by having production and R&D centres close to automobile plants); its critical size within the sector; its investment in work groups within the sector; its financial soundness; a strategic vision it shares with its main clients; its high quality standards; its industrial excellence meeting the highest demands of the automobile sector and its command of essential factors such as Lean Manufacturing.

These strengths combined with research and innovation efforts make NTN-SNR ROULEMENTS a competitive supplier, capable of supporting clients in the development of next generation products meeting the evolution of anti-pollution norms (for example low torque bearings). They make NTN-SNR a truly key supplier to PSA Peugeot Citroën as it prepares for a sustainable future.