Blue Bird awards 10 suppliers

MACON, Ga. — Blue Bird Corp. has named its 2012 Global Supplier of the Year Award winners.

The school bus manufacturer presented the honors at its annual Supplier Conference, held in Macon last week.

Winners of the 2012 Global Supplier of the Year Award are:

• Actia Corp.
• Alliance Steel LLC
• Allison Transmission
• The C.E. White Co.
• Cummins Inc.
• Cummins Emission Solutions
• Paramount Manufacturing LLC
• PPG Industries Inc.
• ROUSH CleanTech
• Steel Warehouse of Tennessee

More than 150 supplier representatives from around the globe were in attendance.

“Alliance Steel is thrilled to be recognized for our commitment to providing Blue Bird with stable and economical steel prices,” said Chuck Fritts, regional sales manager for Alliance Steel. “Alliance Steel and Blue Bird have a strong relationship that provides Blue Bird with high-quality steel and firm pricing. Blue Bird incorporates a significant amount of steel in their robust buses, and our secure price ensures Blue Bird customers are receiving unwavering, competitive pricing.”

The C.E. White Co. has received the Supplier of the Year Award for the past three years.

“C.E. White and Blue Bird’s stellar relationship goes beyond superior quality and cost efficiencies,” said Tony Everett, president and CEO of the seating supplier. “C.E. White established a manufacturing facility located just miles from Blue Bird’s plant that provides seats fully assembled and delivered just in time for manufacturing. This facility also provides environmentally friendly advantages as it eliminates packaging waste due to our reusable delivery containers and reduces fuel use and emissions due to the close proximity. Our collaborative, outside-the-box approach allows C.E. White and Blue Bird to maximize efficiencies while decreasing manufacturing costs, which further promotes stable customer pricing.”

Trey Jenkins, vice president of purchasing and supplier quality for Blue Bird, said the company "is privileged to present these suppliers with the Blue Bird 2012 Global Supplier of the Year Award. For the past year, these suppliers have provided Blue Bird with superior performance related to cost, quality, delivery and technology. Blue Bird is privileged to have an outstanding supplier base, and we look forward to 2013 as we continue to grow market share and provide our customers with top-quality buses.”