Thirteen companies from four countries were given Boeing's Premier Supplier Award this year, presented to the company's top suppliers in recognition of their commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction. These Boeing Suppliers of the Year winners were saluted at an awards ceremony in Newport Beach, Calif., after being selected from a field of more than 10,000 providers in nearly 70 countries.

"These honored suppliers, who went through a rigorous and thorough review process, have sustained exceptional efforts that make them the best across the supply base at providing technical and business solutions," says Jim Morris, Boeing Commercial Airplanes vice president of engineering and manufacturing. "At the same time, they have consistently been meeting stringent quality, cost and delivery requirements. "

Awards were presented in 13 categories: avionics; electronic, hydraulic and mechanical systems; major structures; purchased outside production; propulsion; common aerospace commodities; interiors; aerospace support; nonproduction; small business; small minority business enterprise/small disadvantaged business; small woman-owned disadvantaged business, and, new for 2005, technology advancement—which recognizes a supplier that brings breakthrough technology to Boeing.

The winning suppliers in each category were chosen on statistical measurements of quality, on-time delivery, post-delivery support and cost during the 12-month period up to September 2004. They also were evaluated on their ability to anticipate and respond to changing customer requirements. Of the 13 recipients, three are based outside the U.S., five are small businesses; one is a woman-owned company; and one is minority-owned.

The winners are: Harris Corp., Kidde Technologies, Stork Fokker (Netherlands), J.D. Ott, Pratt & Whitney Commercial Engines, Radiall (France), Draeger Aerospace and Carleton Technologies, ST Aviation Services (Singapore), Dell, Helicomb International, Creative Management Technology, Patriot Machine and Waveflows.