Sepro Earns Prestigious Awards from Key Global Customer � Faurecia Interior Systems

Faurecia Interior Systems has named Sepro, a manufacturer of robots specially adapted to plastics injection molding, as one of three Premium Suppliers. Faurecia Interior Systems has 1,100 suppliers and, of these, 84 are considered “strategic” suppliers. This year, Faurecia created a new third category to recognize companies, such as Sepro, which have delivered technological excellence, quality and contribution to value consistently over a period of years. The award was presented at the annual Supplier Convention of Faurecia Interior Systems, which was held in Detroit in early June.

According to Eric Pichot-Duclos, Tool & Equipment Purchasing Director, Faurecia defines strategic and premium suppliers based on a performance “scorecard” that tracks a host of criteria including innovation, quality, service and financial stability. This is combined with an analysis of the supplier’s strategic importance. Finally, it also considers the share of Faurecia purchases in a particular category each supplier has earned. When it comes to injection molding robots, Sepro’s share of Faurecia’s business is 90%.

Suppliers who score at least 80 out of a possible 100, Pichot-Duclos explains, combined with the fulfillment of at least one strategic criterion are designated as strategic suppliers. Companies that achieve a score of 80 at least two years in a row and fulfill of at least two strategic criteria are now being considered Premium Suppliers.

Besides Sepro, two other companies received the same designation: plastic parts supplier China Tool and ARaymond Automotive, a supplier of fastening systems that, coincidentally, is also a Sepro customer.

“We are extremely honored to receive this recognition from our largest customer, Faurecia,” comments Jean-Michel Renaudeau, CEO of the Sepro Group. “We share many of the same core values including a commitment to be global, to deliver the highest quality and the best service, to be agile and flexible, and to provide a real technological advantage to our customers. So, to be chosen as one of only three suppliers in the world to receive this award is very gratifying.”

Technological leadership

Sepro was also selected to receive a separate award for Technological Leadership. Technological leadership is a key strategy for Faurecia, according to Eric Pichot-Duclos and encouraging and supporting its suppliers to innovate is one of the company's purchasing priorities.

“We believe Sepro has a leading technological profile,” he says. “By that, I mean that they do not look at technology as a benefit in itself. Instead, they offer the latest technology because it provides added value… because it brings their customers, like Faurecia, a competitive advantage. It is technology that makes sense.”

About Faurecia

Faurecia is the world's sixth-largest automotive equipment supplier with four key activities: Automotive Seating, Emissions Control Technologies, Interior Systems and Automotive Exteriors. Key customers include: Volkswagen Group, Ford, PSA Peugeot-Citroën, Renault-Nissan, GM, BMW Group, Daimler… In 2013, the Group posted total sales of €18 billion. At December 31, 2013, Faurecia employed 97,500 people in 34 countries at 320 sites, including 30 R&D centers. Faurecia is listed on the NYSE Euronext Paris stock exchange and trades in the U.S. over-the-counter (OTC) market.

About Sepro

Founded in 1973 and now headquartered in La Roche-sur-Yon (France), Sepro Robotique was one of the first companies in the world to develop Cartesian beam robots for injection-molding machines, introducing its first CNC controlled “manipulator” in 1981. Today, Sepro is one of the largest independent sellers of Cartesian robots. Customers around the world are supported by wholly-owned daughter companies in Germany, Spain, Benelux, the United Kingdom, the United States, Mexico, Brazil and China. Numerous direct sales and service offices as well as independent business partners, distributors and service hubs extend Sepro’s global network to over 40 other countries. The company’s global turnover for 2013 was €66.5 million, with 90% of sales exported from France and 45% sold outside of Europe. Sepro is the largest robot supplier to the automotive industry in Europe and North America, and has equipped more than 25,000 injection-molding machines worldwide. Sepro anticipates it will grow 15% in 2014.

Sepro receives Premium Supplier Award at Faurecia Interior Systems (FIS) Supplier Convention held June 3 & 4, 2014 in Detroit, Michigan, USA.   Pictured right to left: Laurent de Lustrac, VP Purchasing Faurecia Interior Systems, Jean-Michel Renaudeau, CEO, Sepro Group, Bill Geddis, VP Sales & Automation, Sepro America, Eric Pichot-Duclos, Tool & Equipment Purchasing Director, FIS.