Waupaca Foundry Inc., a Hitachi Metals group company, has earned recognition as a partner-level supplier for 2016 in the John Deere Achieving Excellence Program. The Partner-level status is Deere & Co.’s highest supplier rating.

Waupaca Foundry Chief Operating Officer and Chief Executive Officer Mike Nikolai, right, receiving an excellence award from John Deere.

Waupaca Foundry was selected for its dedication to providing outstanding quality iron castings as well as its commitment to continuous improvement. Foundry leaders accepted the recognition during formal ceremonies held on Jan. 11 in Moline, Ill. at Deere & Co.’s Ag & Turf Division headquarters.

Waupaca Foundry’s plants in Waupaca and Marinette, Wis., and Tell City provide gray iron and ductile iron castings for Deere & Co., including its ag and turf, construction and forestry, and power systems divisions, globally.

The foundry has been a John Deere supplier for more than 40 years.

“We are excited to accept this recognition on behalf of every one of our dedicated employees,” said John Wiesbrock, Waupaca Foundry executive vice president of sales, marketing and supply chain management. “Our production management system, Waupaca Way, engages every employee in a relentless commitment to reducing waste and improving iron casting quality, production efficiency, service and delivery. I am proud of this team’s hard work; it has paid off.”

Suppliers are evaluated annually in several key performance categories, including quality, cost management, delivery, technical support and wavelength, which is a measure of responsiveness. Waupaca Foundry ranked within the 96th percentile for total possible points.

John Deere Supply Management created the program in 1991 to provide a supplier evaluation and feedback process that promotes continuous improvement.