Hanon Systems' Carey factory earns Ford's top Q1 quality certification

Hanon Systems, an automotive thermal energy management solutions company, said Monday it held a ceremony at its Carey, Ohio, factory to mark the facility's receipt of Ford Motor Co.'s top supplier quality designation, the Q1 certification.

The Carey factory earned the Ford Q1 certification earlier this year, and the ceremony was held to share the achievement with employees and Ford officials. With this certification, Hanon Systems now holds Ford Q1 status at 27 factories across its global production network, spanning Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Americas and China.

Ford's Q1 certification is its highest-tier supplier designation, awarded only to production facilities that demonstrate outstanding performance across a range of criteria including quality, delivery, manufacturing capability and customer satisfaction. It is reserved for key suppliers that meet Ford's rigorous quality standards and operational requirements.

To maintain the certification, a supplier must consistently score 85 or above on a composite index covering key metrics such as quality performance, manufacturing capability, warranty and delivery. Facilities must also satisfy additional evaluation criteria related to operating systems and environmental standards.

Suppliers holding Q1 certification gain a competitive advantage in Ford's future project and business bidding processes, positioning them as preferred suppliers and strengthening the foundation for long-term partnership.

Brian Trudeau, Hanon Systems' vice president and head of the Americas business group, said the Q1 certification "represents a meaningful achievement symbolizing quality excellence, manufacturing competitiveness and customer satisfaction in the automotive industry." He credited the result to "the dedication of the Carey factory's employees, who worked tirelessly to meet our customer's high expectations."

Sung Ho-seok, the Carey plant manager, said the factory "values Ford as a core partner in our continued growth" and pledged to sustain improvement efforts. "We will take pride in what the Q1 flag represents and continue to pursue the highest levels of quality and service," he said.

The Carey factory began operations in 2017 and primarily produces automotive HVAC assemblies. It serves as a key Hanon Systems production hub responsible for supplying the North American market.