Kohler Reaches Partner Level With John Deere

KOHLER, Wis. – Kohler Engines has earned recognition as a partner-level supplier for 2002 in the John Deere Achieving Excellence Program, becoming the first engine supplier to achieve this level in the John Deere program. In addition, John Deere's Worldwide Commercial and Consumer Division named Kohler Engines its 2002 Supplier of the Year.

The Wisconsin-based company was selected for its dedication to providing quality products and outstanding service as well as its commitment to continuous improvement.

"We are honored to receive this recognition, which is a tribute to the Kohler Engines team who is devoted to delivering only the best quality and service to our customers," described Kohler Engines President Richard Shoemaker. "It is now our challenge to continuing to improve our performance in the years ahead."

Kohler Engines supplies multiple engine models to John Deere's operations in Horicon, Wis., Greeneville, Tenn., and Fuquay Varina, N.C.

"No other engine manufacturer has received such high honors from John Deere," Shoemaker observed. "We will continue to make great strides in driving quality throughout our company."

Suppliers who participate in the Achieving Excellence program are evaluated annually in several key performance categories, including quality, cost management, delivery, technical support and wavelength, which is a measure of responsiveness. John Deere Supply Management created the program in 1991 to provide a supplier evaluation and feedback process that promotes continuous improvement.

A key component of Kohler Engines' success is its enduring commitment to quality and constant improvement. Kohler Engines obtained the ISO 9001:2000 quality registration status last fall after passing a rigorous division-wide ISO quality audit.