Daimler Trucks North America recognized 35 North American manufacturers that provide components for Freightliner and Western Star truck brands as recipients of its Masters of Quality supplier quality award for 2008
. The Masters of Quality award is the highest recognition that Daimler Trucks North America gives to its suppliers.

"In light of the current downturn in global economy and its impact on truck markets and our suppliers, this is no easy accomplishment," said Roger Nielsen, chief operating officer for DTNA. "The Masters of Quality winners are the role models for our entire supplier base."

The Masters of Quality program recognizes suppliers who meet or exceed Daimler Trucks North America's quality standards and demonstrate an ongoing commitment to improving the quality of their products.

Topping the list this year was Consolidated MetCo Inc. and its wheel and hub plant in Monroe, N.C. The ConMet facility has received the award for 19 out of 22 years. Also notable was ConMet's facility in Clackamas, Ore., winning the award for the 17th time.

The complete list of Masters of Quality award winners is as follows:

19-year recipient
Consolidated MetCo Inc., Monroe, North Carolina

17-year recipient
Consolidated MetCo Inc., Clackamas, Oregon

11-year recipient
East Penn Manufacturing Inc., Lyon Station, Pennsylvania

Nine-year recipient
E-A-R Thermal/Acoustic Systems, Aearo Technologies, a 3M Company, Newark, Delaware

Seven-year recipients
Inmagusa, Monclova, Mexico
Eaton Clutch Division, Auburn, Indiana

Six-year recipients
Cummins, Inc., Lakewood, New York
Consolidated MetCo Inc., Nuevo Leon, Mexico

Five-year recipient
Grakon LLC, Seattle, Washington

Four-year recipient
Parker Hannifin Corporation, Lyons, New York

Three-year recipients
Remy International, San Luis Potosi, Mexico
E-A-R Thermal/Acoustic Systems, Aearo Technologies, a 3M Company, Indianapolis, Indiana
Parker Hannifin (Canada), Grimsby, Ontario
Eaton Transmission Division, San Luis Potosi, Mexico

Two-year recipients
Vehtek Systems, Inc., Bowling Green, Ohio
Phillips Industries, Santa Fe Springs, California
Allison Transmission, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana
J.K. Pulley Co Inc., St. Louis, Missouri
Eaton Clutch Division, San Luis Potosi, Mexico

First-year recipients
Roll Forming Corporation, a division of Voestalpine, Shelbyville, Kentucky
Vitro Automotriz S.A. de C.V., Nuevo Leon, Mexico
Sure Power Industries, Inc. Tualatin, Oregon
Phoenix International, Torreon, Mexico
Continental Automotive, Guadalajara, Mexico
Arvinmeritor Automotive, Nuevo Leon, Mexico
Arvinmeritor Automotive, Inc., Manning, South Carolina
SMC Corporation of Mexico, Guanajuato, Mexico
Parker Hannifin Portland PSC, Portland, Oregon
SMC Corporation of America, Indianapolis, Indiana
Industrias Memper, S.A. de C.V., Mexico City, Mexico
Huron Castings, Inc., Pigeon, Michigan
Hayes Lemmerz International, Akron, Ohio
Federal Mogul Systems Protection, El Paso, Texas
H & H Polishing, Inc., Charlotte, North Carolina
Arvinmeritor Inc., Monterrey, Mexico