Bridgestone Americas announced its agriculture tire manufacturing plant in Des Moines, Iowa, recently achieved the highest level in the Caterpillar Supplier Quality Excellence Process (SQEP) Certification – Platinum Level for a second consecutive year. The Des Moines Plant had received Gold Level in the Caterpillar SQEP Certification for the previous three years.

“To achieve Platinum Level in the Caterpillar Supplier Quality Excellence Process certification program consistently speaks to Bridgestone's commitment to high standards of quality, productivity and efficiency in support of our customers,” said Greg Halford, Des Moines Plant Manager, Bridgestone Americas. “We are committed to building Firestone tires for customers like Caterpillar."

The SQEP Certification demonstrates the strong values and ethical principles of Bridgestone in conducting business, as well as the company’s commitment to collaborate with Caterpillar to implement a culture aiming for "zero-defects" across the supply chain. Recognition levels of Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum, reflected in order of increasing difficulty, distinguish outstanding supplier quality performance.

Caterpillar's SQEP Certification was created to recognize a supplier's dedication to providing superior quality, and only is awarded to suppliers who demonstrate world-class performance on an ongoing basis. Each year, suppliers are evaluated with increasingly strict criteria for distinguishing outstanding supplier quality, exceptional service and delivery performance.

The Des Moines, Iowa, plant opened in 1945 and produces agricultural, construction, forestry and off-road tires. The plant has received numerous awards, including the 2016 Gold Leadership Award (Baldrige) Award from Iowa Recognition for Performance Excellence.

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Bridgestone's Des Moines plant recognized for supplier quality excellence