TRUST, A KEY ELEMENT OF A STRONG PARTNERSHIP

Direct procurement suppliers must achieve a valid score on three self-assessments: the VDA 6.3 audit, the AKWEL supplier assessment, and the quality assurance assessment.

If the supplier holds an IATF 16949 certificate, its self-assessment against the VDA 6.3 standard is sufficient. Otherwise, a VDA 6.3 audit must be conducted by AKWEL.

The ACQ assessment is required only when the supplier’s process is a special manufacturing process according to the Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG).

Suppliers in the indirect expenditure category may be subject to an audit for inclusion in the panel.

Suppliers must provide proof of liability insurance covering at least €5m per year.

AKWEL requires all direct procurement suppliers to be IATF 16949-certified, as well as the majority of indirect procurement suppliers. Distributors, dealers and raw material suppliers may only be included in the supplier panel if they are ISO 9001 certified. For the indirect expenditure category, ISO 9001 certification is mandatory only for sorting companies. Suppliers must comply with the legal requirements in force in their own country, as well as with the requirements of the countries to which they deliver products, and within the relevant sector.

AKWEL expects its suppliers to offer sustainable and competitive prices based on a cost model that reflects market conditions.

Written contracts must be put in place to protect the rights of both parties. We have non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), standard terms and conditions of purchase, logistics protocols, and other agreements depending on the type of purchase.

AKWEL manages its orders through an EDI system. Therefore, suppliers must have an EDI or Web-EDI solution to work with AKWEL.

AKWEL sends an annual objectives letter to all its suppliers and expects them to comply with the KPIs, requirements and expectations. Potential new suppliers must commit to meeting the KPI targets set by AKWEL.

AKWEL has implemented a corporate social responsibility (CSR) program for its suppliers. We have two main requirements regarding CSR compliance: adherence to the AKWEL Code of Ethics or the supplier’s own code of ethics, and participation in the ECOVADIS program (link to the ECOVADIS onboarding page for AKWEL) or an equivalent program. By adhering to the AKWEL Code of Ethics, our suppliers commit to implementing the ethical standards defined therein. By participating in ECOVADIS or an equivalent program, our suppliers can obtain an assessment of their performance in the areas of ethics, labor and human rights, the environment, and sustainable procurement. We are convinced that CSR and sustainable development will be the most decisive factors in the awarding of new contracts in the automotive industry over the next few years.

AKWEL has set Group-wide sustainability goals to be achieved by the end of 2028. Suppliers have a significant impact on the achievement of these goals.

* compared to 2021