Renault has made remarkable progress on quality, progress which would not have been possible without close cooperation with suppliers. The Renault Quality Awards were set up six years ago to reward suppliers’ quality performance and commitment to Renault. 

At the Frankfurt Motor Show on September 13, Renault presented the Renault Supplier Awards to 11 parts and services suppliers. 8 suppliers received a Renault Quality Award for outstanding performance in quality and logistics in 2010; while 3 suppliers received a Special Award for their dedication during the tsunami-related crisis in Japan that made it possible to avert a shutdown of production at the Group’s plants.

This year's winners are:

• Renault Supplier Quality Awards: SPX Service Solutions, Recyde, ZANINI Auto Grup, Bosch, Bourbon, Formfleks, NKG, Dong Shin Motech.

• Renault Special Awards: Fujitsu, Renesas, Ibiden.

Manufacturing

The Purchasing department has created a first supplier selection filter that is used to implement its strategy for continuous progress. Only suppliers that are formally committed to abiding by the “Declaration of fundamental social rights” are admitted into Renault's panel. This Declaration is mainly based on the conditions of the international conventions drawn up by the International Labor Organization (ILO). The refusal to employ child labor and forced labor and the promotion of hygiene, health and safety take priority.

The level of conformity of suppliers is regularly evaluated by self-assessment, assessment of the supplier sites by Renault’s Quality department and external audits. If any shortcomings are observed, these actions may result in corrective action plans drawn up with the supplier.

Products

Renault requires its suppliers to abide by the applicable environmental legislation. Suppliers can use the “substance and recycling” standards (00 10 040, 00 10 050 and 00 10 060) to anticipate regulatory changes. The International Material Data System (IMDS) is also placed at suppliers' disposal to enable them to declare the substances that make up the supplied parts.

Renault makes major efforts to train its purchasers and suppliers and to increase their awareness. The Group also supported its suppliers in the deployment of the new REACH regulation (Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of CHemicals). Specific awareness sessions were held at the monthly Renault Supplier Information meetings, along with a training session that was attended by 250 major suppliers.

All these actions are part of Renault’s sustainable development action plan. Following this initial phase to achieve conformity, the Purchasing department has entered the social and environmental performance phase. The next and final step focuses on governance.