DETROIT, July 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Automotive suppliers seeking a competitive edge can demonstrate industry excellence with a 2009 Automotive News PACE Award. Applications for the 15th annual program, recognizing innovation, technological advancement and business performance, are being accepted through Sept. 12, 2008.
Open to suppliers that contribute products, processes, materials or services directly to the manufacture and sale of cars or trucks, the prestigious PACE (Premier Automotive Suppliers' Contribution to Excellence) Award is jointly presented by Ernst & Young, Transportation Research Center Inc. (TRC Inc.) and Automotive News.
Recognized throughout the industry as the "Academy Award for Automotive Innovation," the Automotive News PACE Award honors suppliers who have embraced innovation or adapted and reinvented themselves to keep above the constantly rising expectations of their OEM customers and automotive consumers. The program spotlights game-changing innovations that demonstrate identifiable practical benefits and competitive advantages in commerce. The prestigious program sets the standard for innovation and the competitive edge it confers and has become a significant industry credential.
Past PACE Award finalists represent the United States, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, Luxembourg, Mexico, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
The 2009 Automotive News PACE Award is presented in five categories:
Product -- Innovations in new products or services or in new product and service development and introduction processes that have significant market impact and act as "game changers" in the automotive industry.
Product-Europe -- As above, but innovations are developed/first commercialized in Europe.
Information Technology and Services -- Applications in the IT category highlight game-changing innovations in the design and implementation of information systems solutions that enable companies to improve operational performance or delivery of services. Examples of IT innovations include applying information technology to improve product design and product development processes, linking supplier and customer supply chains, developing innovative approaches to connecting employees to company and industry information, the use of information technologies within the vehicle as well as innovations in service offerings. Applicants can be parts suppliers, service suppliers or IT companies.
Manufacturing Process and Capital Equipment -- Innovations involving game-changing processes (manufacturing or business) or innovative capital equipment that supports the automotive supply chain or manufacturing processes.
Open -- Innovations in other areas of the automotive supplier industry that cannot be classified into the categories identified above, or are reclassified at the judges' discretion. Past entries have included human resources and sales and marketing.
Following an extensive review process of all finalists, including site visits, 2009 Automotive News PACE Award winners will be announced at a gala ceremony in Detroit, Mich. on April 20, 2009.
For complete information about the Automotive News PACE Award, and an application, visit www.autonews.com/PACE or call 313-446-6039. The application fee is $995 through Sept. 12, 2008. Late entries will be accepted through Sept. 19 with a $1,500 application fee.
In addition to Ernst & Young and TRC Inc., the Automotive News PACE Award is also sponsored by OESA.