TR Kuhlmann, the German business of global fastenings manufacturer and distributor TR Fastenings Ltd, has successfully completed an audit by leading vehicle parts provider Kongsberg Automotive.
The audit, the first automotive appraisal in TR Kuhlmann’s history, assessed the firm against the German VDA 6.3 standard, which looks at the quality of specific products and components. TR Kuhlmann achieved an ‘A’ ranking with a score of 96% in recognition of its excellence in manufacturing, distribution and consultancy capabilities when supplying to tier 1 and 2 automotive businesses.
Full service provider to tier 1 automotive suppliers
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, Kongsberg Automotive became interested in taking the firm on as a supplier and organised the audit, which took place in April 2017. Now the audit has been passed with such a high score, the two companies are working towards a potential partnership.
The importance of VDA 6.3 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 Kuhlmann 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, comments: “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 Kongsberg Automotive 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 Kongsberg Automotive in the coming months and years.”
Biog
Will joined Fastener + Fixing Magazine in 2007 and over the last 15 years has experienced every facet of the fastener sector - interviewing key figures within the industry and visiting leading companies and exhibitions around the globe.
Will manages the content strategy across all platforms and is the guardian for the high editorial standards that the Magazine is renowned.
