TR Kuhlmann has successfully completed an audit by leading vehicle parts provider Kongsberg Automotive (KA), achieving an ‘A’ ranking.
TR Kuhlmannn, one of TR Fastening’s German businesses, scored 96% in the audit, which is the first automotive appraisal in TR Kuhlmann’s history. The firm was assessed against the German VDA 6.3 standard which looks at the quality of specific products and components.
The ‘A’ ranking is in recognition of excellence in manufacturing, distribution and consultancy capabilities when supplying to Tier 1 and 2 automotive businesses.
Global fastenings manufacturer and distributor TR Fastenings (TR) is a full service provider to the automotive industry, supplying over 50 billion fastener components to over 5,000 companies globally, largely tier 1 businesses supplying major automotive OEMs. After being introduced to TR Kuhlmann and issuing initial RFQs, KA became interested taking the firm on as a supplier and organised the audit, which took place in April 2017. Now that the audit has been passed with such a high score, the two companies are now working towards a potential partnership.
VDA 6.3 standards in the automotive industry
The success of TR Kuhlmann follows a move by the wider TR group to work towards adopting VDA 6.3 standards throughout its automotive operations. In recent years, TR has noticed an increased focus amongst its global automotive customers on the German VDA 6.3 standard. In response, TR has invested in specific training for its Supplier Quality Managers, resulting in them being fully certified to assess products and suppliers against VDA requirements.
Peter Henning, Director at TR Kuhlmann, said: “The shift in focus towards VDA 6.3 as a preferred standard for automotive OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers has been noticeable in recent months, and having received the invitation to undertake the KA audit, we were thrilled to be able to rise to the challenge and show our capabilities and strengths in this sector. We are delighted with the high score we achieved and are now looking forward to the exciting prospect of working further with KA in the coming months and years.”