BASF recognized as ‘Partner Supplier’ by John Deere Welland Works plant
Achievement places BASF in highest level of John Deere suppliers
SOUTHFIELD, Mich., May 3, 2005 -- John Deere Welland Works in Welland, Ont. has
recognized BASF as a “Partner Supplier,” the highest level in the John Deere “Achieving
Excellence” supplier program.
BASF Canada Specialty and Industrial Markets, with support from BASF’s Commercial
Transportation Solutions (CTS) group based in Southfield, Mich., supplies electrocoats and
other coating products to the John Deere plant in Welland, which manufactures utility vehicles
and attachments for agricultural equipment.
John Deere defines a “Partner Supplier” as a world-class company that achieves high customer
satisfaction levels and meets Deere’s stringent performance standards. Fewer than 2 percent of
John Deere’s 8,000 major suppliers have achieved this recognition level. To be selected as a
“Partner Supplier,” a company is evaluated in five key areas: quality; delivery; cost
management; technical support; and a composite rating called “wavelength,” which includes
initiative, responsiveness, attitude and communication.
“We are very pleased to be recognized as a ‘Partner Supplier,’” said Carl Weber, CTS Manager
for BASF in the United States. “John Deere is a world-class company with a long and unrivalled
history of quality and reliability. Being selected one of the few suppliers that have earned the
distinction of ‘Partner Supplier’ is a testament not just to the quality of BASF’s products, but also
to the customer focus and hard work of the BASF staff that supports the John Deere plant in
Welland.”
Dan Augustine, Manager, Strategic Supply Management for John Deere’s Welland Works, cited
the professionalism and collaborative approach of both companies as key factors in the
relationship. “The teamwork between BASF and John Deere’s Welland Works is excellent, and
we look forward to continued success with our BASF partners,” he said.
BASF - The Chemical Company. We don't make a lot of the products you buy. We make a
lot of the products you buy better.®
BASF Corporation, headquartered in New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF AG,
Ludwigshafen, Germany. Rated in FORTUNE magazine as America’s Most Admired Chemical
Company, we employ about 10,000 people in North America and had sales of approximately
$11 billion in 2004. For more information about BASF’s North American operations, or to sign up
to receive news releases by e-mail, visit www.basf.com/usa.
BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges
from chemicals, plastics, performance products, agricultural products and fine chemicals to
crude oil and natural gas. As a reliable partner to virtually all industries, BASF’s intelligent
solutions and high-value products help its customers to be more successful. BASF develops
new technologies and uses them to open up additional market opportunities. It combines
economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility, thus contributing to a
better future. In 2004, BASF had approximately 82,000 employees and posted sales of more
than $50 billion. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London
(BFA), New York (BF), Paris (BA) and Zurich (AN). Further information on BASF is available on
the Internet at www.basf.com.
For more information, contact:
Andy Ladak
BASF
Tel: (248) 948-2088
E-mail: ladaka@basf.com