“This is the first time that IBT has received this award from Kawasaki, and it’s an honor,” said Phil Pope, General Manager of Contract Services and Support for IBT, who oversees the team’s work with the Kawasaki plant in Maryville. “This is a high-volume account for us, and Sam and the team really reflect the high standards of service that we envision for IBT employees. They always go the extra distance for Kawasaki.”
MARYVILLE, MO—June 9, 2015—Kawasaki Motors Manufacturing Corp., U.S.A., announced that IBT Industrial Solutions has won the “Supplier of the Year Award” for work completed in 2014. IBT was selected for its overall high quality of product, service, and supply chain.
“This year has been a busy one for Kawasaki Motors Manufacturing. We set a record for the most engines produced and shipped in fiscal year 2014,” said Yasuhiro “Ike” Ikeshita, Manager of Purchasing at Kawasaki. “We are pleased to say that our suppliers are a major contributor to the success. The products they supply make it possible to meet our customers’ needs.”
IBT has one staff member, Sam Moran, onsite full-time at the Kawasaki plant in Maryville, Missouri. Moran works with their engineers, maintenance department, and purchasing staff to get the parts they need and to help solve problems. IBT provides fluid power products and services, cylinders, valves, air tool repair, and material handling supplies to the facility in Maryville.
“I’m surprised and very happy that we received this award,” said Moran, who’s worked onsite at the Kawasaki plant for 8 years. “I enjoy my job and working with all the great people here. Now I have a lot of hard work ahead of me to prove that we can continue to uphold these standards of quality.”
The Kawasaki plant in Maryville produces engines for lawn, garden and turf care equipment. It employs over 800 people, working in a 700,000 sq. ft. facility on 113.7 acres of land. A sister facility with 1.3 million sq. ft. operates in Lincoln, Nebraska. Moran partners with Clarissa Puckett doing VMI part time, Mike Blick at the IBT headquarters, and Don Knechtenhofer’s team at the IBT branch in St. Joseph, Missouri to source parts quickly for the Kawasaki plant.
About Kawasaki Motors Manufacturing Corp., U.S.A.
Kawasaki was the first foreign vehicle manufacturer to open a manufacturing plant in the U.S. The Maryville, Missouri plant opened in 1989 for production of general-purpose engines. The Lincoln facility opened in 1974.
About IBT Industrial SolutionsIBT Industrial Solutions is a leading, full-service industrial supplier. Since 1949, IBT has been helping customers maintain efficient, productive, and safe workplace facilities through quality industrial MRO supplies, products, and services. Top-notch industrial expertise and superior customer service set IBT apart. IBT has nearly 40 stocking locations throughout the United States, and is headquartered in the Kansas City suburb of Merriam, Kansas.
Media Contact | Anthony Akin | Director of Marketing | (913) 261-2148 | aakin@ibtinc.com
