March 2016 marked two accolades from automakers General Motors (GM) and Ford Motor Company for Luxembourg steel and mining company ArcelorMittal.

ArcelorMittal received General Motors' Supplier of the Year award at the automaker's 24th annual ceremony held in Detroit on 10 March, making 2016 the third consecutive year that the steel company has received the accolade. Meanwhile, the 2015 Business Unit Review produced by Ford has ranked the company the highest possible. This ranking, based on ArcelorMittal North America across six facilities, has now been awarded to the company for 20 consecutive quarters spanning five years.

"Competitors know what you did and how you've done it to get on top," commented Brad Davey, chief marketing officer, ArcelorMittal North America and Global Automotive. "They will copy you and surpass you unless you continuously improve and reinvent yourself. We've done a great job at this in everything we offer to GM and Ford, and that is why we've achieved consecutive top rankings from both."

The Supplier of the Year award was given to around 1% of GM's global suppliers, of which ArcelorMittal is one as a provider of a range of steel grades for GM cars and trucks. The award winners are chosen by a global team of GM purchasing, engineering, quality, manufacturing and logistics executives. GM brands In 2015, GM brands delivered 3.1 vehicles in North America, exhibiting a 5% increase from the previous year.

Whilst ArcelorMiittal provides a variety of steel grades for every Ford vehicle, the largest portion of its business is implicated in Ford Fusion, Edge and Transit production.

"It all starts with understanding Ford’s expectations of us as a supplier," said Peter Bilenki, Ford global account manager, ArcelorMittal. "They rate us in eight categories that include quality, delivery, commercial, cost savings, plant engineering and product development. We have an account plan that is updated each year to correct any deficiencies and make other improvements. It goes without saying that this cannot be accomplished without the dedication of every one of the extended team members who sell, manufacture, service or deliver steel to Ford."

Left photo by General Motors, Right photo by ArcelorMittal