ArcelorMittal has been nominated a Volkswagen (VW) Future Automotive Supply Tracks (FAST) supplier, the car manufacturer's solution to automotive sector issues linked to globalisation and the increasing speed of innovationg cycles.
The Luxembourg steel and mining company features among supplies selected for the new programme using standardised, transparent and objective criteria based on the potential supplier's ability to collaborate with the carmaker in terms of innovation and the alignment of the global strategy of each.
ArcelorMittal received its official nomination at a ceremony held at VW's headquarters in March 2016, during which VW purchasing group commodity manager, Axel Müller, described the new supplier as a "reliable partner", stating: "I expect that ArcelorMittal's involvement in FAST will enable us to intensify this cooperation."
"For a long time, Volkswagen has been one of the automotive industry's key innovators and we are extremely proud to have been selected to participate in the FAST project," commented Brian Aranha, executive vice president of ArcelorMittal Automotive. "With our global footprint, extensive product range and dedicated network of automotive research and development facilities, we are well-equipped to continue pushing the boundaries of innovation as a trusted partner of VW."
"This nomination is a very important step in our automotive research programme," added Jochen Gruenewald, automotive area manager for ArcelorMittal. "We will be able to tune our product development cycle with VW's milestones for new vehicle development."
Dr Francisco Javier Garcia Sanz, a member of the Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft management board, said: "I am looking forward to having that dialogue [with our 55 suppliers] to make the partnerships even more efficient and sustainable for both sides."
Photo by ArcelorMittal
