Ford Honors Penske Logistics with Two Q1 Awards

READING, Pa., April 22 -- Ford Motor Company has honored Penske Logistics with two Q1 awards, Ford's highest recognition of superior supplier quality. Penske received Q1 Preferred Quality Status as a Logistics Automotive Supplier and an Automotive Truckload Supplier. The prestigious Q1 certification acknowledges outstanding suppliers that have achieved a sustained level of excellence in customer satisfaction, while meeting systems and results requirements in quality, productivity and service.

Ford Motor Company's Director of Purchasing Dennis Connor and Executive Director of Material Planning & Logistics Grant Belanger presented the Q1 awards to Penske Logistics. This event marked the first time Ford presented two Q1 awards to a supplier at one time. Penske Logistics President Vince Hartnett, Senior Vice President of Automotive Ed Cumbo, and Vice President of Operations for Automotive Jim Erdman accepted the Q1 awards. Penske Chairman Roger S. Penske attended the awards presentation.

"We are extremely proud to be doubly awarded by Ford as one of their Tier I Preferred Quality Status suppliers," said Hartnett. "These two Q1 certifications acknowledge the hard work and excellent results the Ford-Penske team has achieved, and we are honored to display Ford Q1 flags at two of our facilities."

Penske has been serving as the lead logistics provider for Ford's inbound supply chain since 1999. Penske's solution has streamlined Ford's inbound network and increased visibility of supplies down to the part level, while significantly reducing inventory and lowering Ford's transportation and freight costs. As a result of the success achieved as lead logistics provider, Penske is the preferred supplier on the inbound side for all of Ford's North American production facilities.

Ford developed the Q1 certification program by establishing standards that represent a consensus on good management practices, with the aim of ensuring that the supplier organization can consistently deliver product or services that will meet and exceed the customer's quality requirements. To be recognized as a Ford Motor Company Q1 supplier, vendors must achieve a high level of performance for six consecutive months prior to being awarded with Q1 Certification and maintain that level on an ongoing basis. During the evaluation process, Ford and the supplier agree on metrics for achievement and Ford meets with the supplier to continually assess progress.

Penske Logistics is a wholly owned subsidiary of Penske Truck Leasing, a joint venture of Penske Corporation and General Electric. A leading global transportation services provider headquartered in Reading, Pa., Penske Truck Leasing operates approximately 200,000 vehicles and serves customers from nearly 1,000 locations in the United States, Canada, Mexico, South America and Europe. Penske Truck Leasing's product lines include full-service leasing, contract maintenance and commercial and consumer rental. Penske Logistics offers solutions for transportation, warehousing and supply chain management. The company can be reached at www.PenskeLogistics.com.