Seraph is excited to announce the students that have been selected to take part in the “Manufacturing Excellence Leadership Program.”

This program is designed for students aspiring to pursue careers in manufacturing who wish to explore the automotive industry’s offerings.

 “Our aim is to nurture the next generation of manufacturing and operational excellence leaders through an immersive, hands-on externship experience that exposes students to top operational companies.”  Thomas Kowal, President of Seraph North America  

Four outstanding students have been selected to receive the Seraph Manufacturing Excellence Leadership Program! Each student was graded based on their professional credentials including an example of work that they completed that demonstrated their knowledge of or passion towards working in the automotive industry. Their dedication and exceptional contributions have truly set them apart ~

Kirin Raval

University of Michigan

Industrial and Operations Engineering with a Minor in International Studies, 2026

“Manufacturing is a great intersection between technological innovations and human creativity since it is inherently problem solving oriented (…) This constantly growing field requires adaptive and creative thinking that I believe that I have and it will keep me engaged while working.”

Alec Cousino

Wayne State University

Global Supply Chain Management and Psychology, Honors, 2025

“While I enjoy the complexities and sleekness of cars themselves, the deep-rooted ecosystem of interconnected suppliers exchanging technologies and products is what really enamored me.”

Mariana Flores Cantu

Michigan State University

Supply Chain Management Minor in Environmental & Sustainability Studies, 2025

“As I take these steps towards a future where supply chain management is even more innovative. even more impactful, and even more revolutionary, I hope that it will pave the way for others to not only take a single step forward, but thousands of them.”

Redford Hudson

UC Irvine

Data Science, 2024

“I am a data scientist enchanted by the world of manufacturing, and my calling is to build the next wave of smart manufacturing solutions.”

What each student will receive:

• $1,000 scholarship.
• On-site plant assessment experience and an all-expenses-paid trip.
• 1-1 meeting with Seraph Leadership.
• Attend the Seraph Operational Excellence Awards Ceremony, held on June 6, 2024, at Chroma in Detroit, where they will be able to network with Automotive/Manufacturing experts.

Congratulations to our Winners:

While applications are closed, you can still learn more about this incredible initiative at seraphawards.com/student-leadership-program/

Like the intricate components within your manufacturing plant that drive its functionality, the Seraph Operational Excellence Awards process was created to assess and understand key information across your many facts of your automotive plant operations. It was designed to assess how well key departments within your plant operations are performing, where you are the strongest and how well you are performing against your peers.

The Operational Excellence Awards process provides an opportunity for your leadership and teams to work collaboratively towards a common goal, and to highlight strengths across the manufacturing floor. The value it adds is noticed across different areas of your plant.

“Being involved in the Operational Excellence Awards, was an extremely valuable endeavor, and I would highly recommend applying, regardless of winning. It brought our teams together in a meaningful way.”

Ramesh Gaddam, President and CEO Rayconnect.

Phase One involves taking an online assessment, which facilitates questions across four (4) key departments of your manufacturing plant – operations, quality, logistics, and human resources.

The online assessment will require roughly 90 minutes (about 1 and a half hours) to complete. At the conclusion of Phase One, each participating company will receive a summary report showing how well you performed against your peers in each category, providing a comprehensive view of your market position.

Phase Two identifies the top eight (8) scoring companies from Phase One, and provides each company with a complimentary on-site assessment from the Seraph team. This assessment is a streamlined version of the manufacturing audit process that Seraph uses to evaluate manufacturing plants across the globe.

Our assessment is a proven process that will highlight how well your plant is performing in each of the designated areas, operations, quality, logistics, and human resources. Last year’s recipients of the in-plant assessment felt that this was an invaluable tool. At the conclusion of this phase, each participating company will receive a summary assessment report, that highlights key areas of the audit. The entire process enables you to identify areas within your operations that require improvement while also acknowledging achievements that deserve recognition.

Phase Three serves as validation of your work through the discerning eyes of our Operational Excellence Awards judging panel, which is comprised of highly qualified industry experts with decades of automotive experience.  Past year’s winners attested to the value of our judges, who possess profound expertise in automotive manufacturing. Receiving their stamp of approval signifies that they were achieving excellence within their plant operations.

During this phase, our judges will review findings from both Phase One and Phase Two to select all five (5) award winners:

• Operations Excellence Award
• Quality Excellence Award
• Logistics Excellence Award
• Human Resources Excellence Award
• Overall Best Supplier Excellence Award

Phase Four being chosen as a finalist for the Operational Excellence Awards offers a unique opportunity to celebrate your accomplishments with other industry professionals. It’s a chance to reconnect with old acquaintances and forge new connections, while publicly acknowledging your company’s excellence. This year’s awards ceremony will take place on June 6, 2024, at Chroma in Detroit, MI.

Besides operational value and insights, celebrating your accomplishments with your team enhances employee morale and fosters a sense of belonging and shared purpose. Winning the Operational Excellence Awards instills a sense of pride and achievement. After winning the award, last year’s winners returned to their plants and celebrated their win with their teams, hosting a lunch and acknowledging their teams’ accomplishments. It’s small the things like this that go a long way in uniting your team together.

Additionally, beyond internal communications, all winners will receive a comprehensive press kit. This facilitates the seamless announcement of their achievements through external channels.

Applications are being accepted through March 8, 2024.

Applying requires only a small investment of time.

Talk to your leadership team and act today. Don’t miss out!

Who Should Apply:

Automotive Tier 1 and 2 suppliers, including automotive aftermarket manufactures, that have a plant(s) operation in North America.  Each plant applying is a single application, so multiple applications from the same organization can apply.

It’s free to apply …. with tremendous upside in being selected for an award.

Apply today:  2024 Operational Excellence Awards visit our website.

Calling all Students Studying Fields in Manufacturing!!

Last call to apply for the Manufacturing Excellence Leadership Program!!

Success takes on a unique form for everyone, particularly as a college student embarking on their career journey. Paying attention to certain opportunities can be the differentiator in launching your career with promising prospects. Building experience and fostering a strong professional network are crucial aspects to consider.

The Seraph Manufacturing Excellence Leadership Program offers a distinctive chance for individuals like yourself to actively engage in an in-plant manufacturing assessment, connect with industry executives who can be valuable mentors in your career, and receive a $1,000 scholarship.

On-site assessment

Seraph is a global manufacturing consulting firm that works with some of the world’s largest suppliers and OEMs. Our team is comprised of former CEO, President’s, and Plant Managers at some of the most prominent Tier 1 suppliers. With our hands on knowledge and extensive expertise, Seraph has crafted a unique assessment tool that swiftly and accurately identifies critical elements within a manufacturing plant operation. This tool has been used across the globe to uncover our clients greatest manufacturing challenges.

Seraph possesses vast experience in conducting onsite assessments and audits across manufacturing facilities globally. Through this program, you will gain the chance to be up-close and personal through this assessment process, which will evaluate four main areas of their manufacturing facility – operations, logistics, quality, and human resources. You will be exposed to the specific factors that we deem as being essential in running a successful manufacturing plant.

Connections + Networking

In addition to gaining industry experience, this opportunity represents a crucial stride for you in establishing a robust professional network within the automotive sector.

As a student, research indicates that networking holds various benefits, such as:

• Assisting in your overall success.
• Providing valuable insights.
• Serving as an opportunity to find a mentor.
• Creating a supportive system.
• Refining your soft skills.

The Seraph Manufacturing Excellence Leadership Program not only connects you with our team of experts but also introduces you to a network of industry professionals who will be present at our awards ceremony in June. Last year, over thirty companies participated in our celebratory event, offering numerous networking opportunities.

Don’t miss the opportunity to apply!

Accepting applications through February 29, 2024.

Important Dates:

Please be aware of the following dates (subject to slight adjustments):

• Enrollment period due date: February 29, 2024.
• Finalists’ evaluation: March 1 – 8, 2024.
• Winning candidates’ announcement: March 15, 2024.
• On-site plant assessments: Tentatively scheduled from March 25 to April 30, 2024.
• Operational Excellence Awards ceremony: June 6, 2024.

Who Should Apply:  

We are seeking students who are studying manufacturing, industrial engineering, supply-chain and/or operations management.

We welcome applications from:

• University graduates who are in their first year (of a 2-year graduate degree program) or first or second year (of a 3-year graduate program).
• University undergraduates in their sophomore, junior or senior year.
• Seniors in technical high schools.

 *Applicants must reside within the United States.

The value of applying to the Seraph Operational Excellence Awards begins before winning a trophy; it starts with the on-site assessment! Our objective is to equip your company with tools for the rapid identification of both areas of excellence and potential improvements. A well-functioning plant reflects strong leadership, making the onsite assessment a tool for your leaders to acknowledge and celebrate different levels of your organization.

Deep expertise

Seraph boasts extensive expertise in conducting on-site assessments through years of global experience across various facilities. Our assessments are conducted by our specialized consultants that have gathered invaluable experience serving as plant managers at some of the world’s largest suppliers and OEMs. Their hands-on knowledge enables swift and precise identification of best-in-class areas and effective steps for improvement.

Gain Crucial Insight

The Seraph on-site assessment serves as a crucial tool for leaders seeking a high-level understanding of their company’s health, emphasizing the most critical aspects of plant operations. Our approach prioritizes efficiency, concentrating on uncovering vital information within a short timeframe—specifically, one day for the Seraph Operational Excellence Awards (OPEX).

Seraph employs a boots-on-the-ground strategy, thoroughly reviewing the plant layout and production capacity. Our assessments encompass specific facets, including operations, logistics, quality, human resources, program management, maintenance, leadership, and more.

Through visual inspections of the production floor and meaningful conversations with management and operators, our experts gain a deep understanding of your business and operations. The comprehensive report generated can be used for future improvements and for both internal and external promotional purposes.

The Seraph Operational Excellence Awards on-site assessment focuses on key aspects, including:

Operations:

• Efficiently manages daily operations and production.
• Proactively drives continuous improvement actions to resolution.
• Utilizes a centralized and organized location for production information.
• Conducts regular daily meetings with all team members.
• Enhances transparency for critical items.

Logistics:

• Maintains a robust and up to date PFEP (plan for every part).
• Monitors inventory levels throughout the value stream.
• Tracks daily usage of all components.
• Establishes effective runout dates to prevent shortages for all components (internal and external).
• Utilizes an effective supplier ordering system, automating material orders, and adheres to regular material ordering cadences.
• Manages packaging and achieves on-time delivery.

Human Resources:

• Works to keep low employee turnover.
• Offers best-in-class employee packages and a favorable work environment.
• Maintains a commitment to workplace safety.
• Adheres to robust recruitment practices.
• Implements training initiatives that foster the development of exceptional employees.
• Demonstrates a commitment to employee empowerment within the operation.

Quality:

• Continuously promotes FTQ (first-time quality) through comprehensive quality documentation and processes, ensuring stable production.
• Establishes root cause analysis processes to address customer-reported issues.
• Aligns and manages supplier readiness for PPAP (production part approval process), tool readiness and release, and equipment readiness for production.
• Regularly assesses the maturity of the supply base using tracked quality metrics.
• Implements escalation rules for both internal and external quality issues.
• Maintains requisite certifications and consistently demonstrates daily practices in line with certification requirements.

Who Should Apply:  

Automotive Tier 1 and 2 suppliers, including automotive aftermarket manufactures, that have a plant(s) operation in North America that are achieving great things in one of 4 areas: operations, logistics, human resources, and quality. Each plant applying is a single application, so multiple applications from the same organization can apply.  

Plants that are interested in applying should be achieving 80% OEE.

Applications are being accepted though March 8, 2024.

See how your plant operations stack up against your competitors and be one of the (8) plants that receive a complimentary onsite plant assessment.

It’s absolutely free to apply….with tremendous upside in being selected for an award.  

Apply today:  2024 Operational Excellence Awards visit our website. 

Calling all Students Studying Fields in Manufacturing!!

Introducing the Manufacturing Excellence Leadership Program!

Reap significant rewards by investing a small amount of your time.

Are you about to start your career in some avenue of automotive manufacturing? Are you looking to take advantage of opportunities that can help advance your knowledge and exposure to the industry?

The Seraph Manufacturing Excellence Leadership Program provides a unique opportunity for individuals like you to get an up close and personal experience in conducting an in-plant manufacturing assessment, meet industry executives that you can leverage in your career path and receive a $1,000 scholarship.

Follow this comprehensive guide on how to apply and mark your journey towards success:

Important Dates:

Please be aware of the following dates (subject to slight adjustments):

• Enrollment period: November 1, 2023, through February 29, 2024.
• Finalists’ evaluation: March 1 – 8, 2024.
• Winning candidates’ announcement: March 15, 2024.
• On-site plant assessments: Tentatively scheduled from March 25 to April 30, 2024.
• Operational Excellence Awards ceremony: June 6, 2024.

Who Should Apply:  

We are seeking students who are studying manufacturing, industrial engineering, supply-chain and/or operations management.

We welcome applications from:

• University graduates who are in their first year (of a 2-year graduate degree program) or first or second year (of a 3-year graduate program).
• University undergraduates in their sophomore, junior or senior year.
• Seniors in technical high schools.

*Applicants must reside within the United States.

The Operational Excellence Awards was created to celebrate automotive suppliers across North America that are achieving remarkable things within their plant operations.

Each year, the Seraph team carefully selects our judging panel who are responsible for selecting our top 5 winning plants. Our judges are selected based on their depth of automotive experience, keen knowledge of running efficient manufacturing operations, including their specific expertise within plant operations, and ability to manage large teams.

We are grateful to all our judges for their time and commitment towards promoting and celebrating excellence in manufacturing.

Last year’s winners emphasized the substantial contribution our judges made to the evaluation process. Receiving their stamp of approval validated that their plant operations were achieving remarkable things.

Meet our Judges:        

• Jim Barbaretta, General Manager, Brose – Jim is an award-winning automotive leader, with over 30 years of experience in manufacturing operations and quality.
• Michael Fahy, CEO, Neovia Logistics – Michael leads a global logistics team with 80 facilities in 20 countries. Michael brings extensive solution design, process engineering and has extensive business development experience.
• Chris Grabmiller, CEO, StaffBright – Chris is a staffing leader with a proven track record of success in high-demand, results-driven environments. Chris leads his team in managing a diverse portfolio of companies to align their talent acquisition strategy with their overall business strategy.
• Gloria Blanchard, HR Manager, Brose – With over 20 years experience in human resources, Gloria has developed training programs that resulted in increased employee performance uniformity, employee retention, and talent and resource consolidation of cross-functional teams.
• Brad Tolley, Operating Partner, Lake State Partners – Leveraging over 30 years of experience in industrial manufacturing, Brad most recently served as President of Shiloh Industries, an automotive Tier 1 supplier. Brad has a diverse background including global operations, corporate strategy, business development, engineering, and program management.

Meet our Seraph Judges:

• Thomas Kowal, President, North America — Thomas leads the Seraph team with two decades of extensive management and sales operations experience in the automotive industry.
• Wade Phillips, President, Europe — Wade leads Seraph’s European operations and brings more than 25 years of experience in the automotive and manufacturing space. Wade has extensive P&L responsibility at Tier 1 automotive suppliers and a proven track record of developing and scaling new business.
• Richard Payne, Managing Director — Richard brings more than 25 years of leadership and expertise in automotive and manufacturing operations leading client efforts in restructuring, turnaround, and operational improvement initiatives.
• Jay Butler, Managing Director — Jay brings more than 20 years of experience in automotive, industrial, and consumer product design, manufacturing, and quality control.

Great Judges. Good Cause.

In recognition of our judge’s time and commitment to the Operational Excellence Awards, we donate $5,000 to a charity of their choice. We are proud to support such incredible causes.

2024 Selected Charities

• Special Olympics – Michigan
• Mary Free Bed – Rehabilitation
• Humble Design – Detroit
• Folds Of Honor – Motor City
• Silver Lining Solutions 4 You – Detroit 

Who Should Apply:  

Automotive Tier 1 and 2 suppliers, including automotive aftermarket manufactures, that have a plant(s) operation in North America that are achieving great things in one of 4 areas: operations, logistics, human resources, and quality. Each plant applying is a single application, so multiple applications from the same organization can apply.  

Plants that are interested in applying should be achieving 80% OEE.

Applications are being accepted December 4 – March 8, 2024.

It’s absolutely free to apply….with tremendous upside in being selected for an award.  

Apply today:  2024 Operational Excellence Awards visit our website. 

The Operational Excellence Awards did not disappoint. These automotive suppliers, despite how busy they were, saw the value in applying for the 2023 Operational Excellence Awards. These organizations wanted to give recognition where it was most deserved. To their hard-working teams!

 Hear from Last Year’s Winners in the Value in Applying for the Operational Excellence Awards 

• The awards process was perceived as valuable to their entire team. 
• The on-site plant assessment was well worth their time, it validated what they were doing well and/or gave suggested areas for improvement. 
• Our judges brought value to the process. Everyone possesses deep expertise in automotive manufacturing. Receiving their stamp of approval meant they were doing great things. 
• The awards ceremony was elegant. It provided great networking. Their teams were so proud to be involved.
• All award winners celebrated their accomplishments with their teams, and it boosted employee morale.
• The press kit provided for all winners made it easy for them to promote their accomplishments.

Who Should Apply:  

Automotive Tier 1 and 2 suppliers, including automotive aftermarket manufactures, that have a plant(s) operation in North America that are achieving great things in one of 4 areas: operations, logistics, human resources, and quality. Each plant applying is a single application, so multiple applications from the same organization can apply.  

Plants that are interested in applying should be achieving 80% OEE.

Applications are being accepted December 4 – March 8, 2024.

It’s absolutely free to apply….with tremendous upside in being selected for an award.  

Apply today:  2024 Operational Excellence Awards visit our website. 

Last year, Seraph launched the Operational Excellence Awards. As we have all witnessed these past years, our industry has been under tremendous pressure, and challenging times for our valued suppliers.  We have also witnessed first-hand the suppliers that continue to push their teams to achieve operational excellence.  

The Operational Excellence Awards was created as our way to celebrate those suppliers across North America that were despite these challenges, are achieving operational excellence within their plants across – operations, logistics, human resources, and quality. 

It’s a small investment of time to get your team the recognition they deserve. Last year’s winners said it was not just winning an award that was important to them. The entire awards process brought their teams together in a more meaningful way. Winning an award was the cherry on top.

Who Should Apply:  

Automotive Tier 1 and 2 suppliers, including automotive aftermarket manufactures, that have a plant(s) operation in North America that are achieving great things in one of 4 areas: operations, logistics, human resources, and quality. Each plant applying is a single application, so multiple applications from the same organization can apply.  

Plants that are interested in applying should be achieving 80% OEE.

Applications are being accepted December 4 – March 8, 2024.  

It’s absolutely free to apply….with tremendous upside in being selected for an award.  

Apply today:  2024 Operational Excellence Awards visit our website. 

Mark your calendars as we will be accepting applications December 4, 2023, through March 8, 2024.

Let’s take a brief look at this past year’s awards. The 2023 Seraph Operational Excellence Awards turned out better than we could ever have imagined. Our search across North America to find operational excellence within automotive suppliers concluded by awarding 5 incredible organizations.

2023 Award Winners

• Best Overall Supplier Excellence Award: Shiloh – Saltillo, MX
• Overall Runner-up and Logistics Excellence Award: Bodycote – San Luis Potosi, MX
• Operations Excellence Award: ARaymond – Rochester Hills, MI
• Human Resources Excellence Award: Rayconnect – Rochester Hills, MI
• Quality Excellence Award: Stanadyne – Jacksonville, NC

We received such high remarks on the awards initiative that we are happy to announce that we are moving forward with the 2024 Operational Excellence Awards. The 2024 awards are going to be even bigger and better!

If you’re not familiar with the Operational Excellence Awards, we are looking to celebrate top automotive manufacturers across North America that excel in 1 of 4 categories:

• Operations
• Quality
• Human Resources
• Logistics
• Best Overall Supplier (awarded to the supplier that excels across all four categories)

We have an extraordinary panel of industry experts as our judges.

Entering your organization for a Seraph Operational Excellence Award can lead to national industry recognition, future partnership opportunities, and a new perspective on operational excellence.

Does your organization drive the future of automotive suppliers? Register for an Award by March 8, 2023.

If your organization is selected as a finalist, members of the Seraph team will perform an on-site assessment of your operation.

To learn more about the 2024 Seraph Operational Excellence Awards, visit www.seraphawards.com for additional information.

Seraph is excited to announce the launch of our latest initiative, the “Manufacturing Excellence Leadership Program.”

This program marks an exciting expansion of the Seraph Operational Excellence Awards (award applications opening December 2023 for the 2024 awards program). The “Manufacturing Excellence Leadership Program” is designed for students aspiring to pursue careers in manufacturing who wish to explore the automotive industry’s offerings.

 “Our aim is to nurture the next generation of manufacturing and operational excellence leaders through an immersive, hands-on externship experience that exposes students to top operational companies.”

Thomas Kowal, President of North America

We welcome applications from:

Students who are studying manufacturing, industrial engineering, supply-chain and/or operations management.

• University undergraduates in their sophomore, junior or senior year. *
• Seniors in technical high schools. *

*Applicants must reside within the United States.

What to Expect:

Onsite Assessment

We will select four (4) winning students for the “Manufacturing Excellence Leadership Program.” Each recipient will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to one of the on-site plant assessments conducted within the United States by the Seraph team for the Operational Excellence Awards. The assessment will give our winning students an up close and personal experience in shadowing the Seraph team, while we are conducting a plant assessment to determine the health of the organization across operations, logistics, quality, and human resources.

This is a unique opportunity that will provide students with an opportunity to learn from operational consultants that have tremendous expertise in manufacturing. Students will gain an inside perspective of a plant’s operations and the components that make up the health of an organization’s processes.

In addition, each student will be awarded $1,000 scholarship from Seraph. 

Be Our Guest at the 2024 Operational Excellence Awards – Networking with Manufacturing Experts

On June 6, 2024, we will be hosting the 2nd annual Operational Excellence Awards ceremony held at Chroma in Detroit, MI. All recipients of the Manufacturing Excellence Leadership Program will join the gala as our guests. This evening will provide the opportunity to mingle with some of the top industry experts from across North America.

Meet and Greet with our CEO or President of North America

Each selected student candidate will have the opportunity to engage in a one-on-one discussion via Teams with either Ambrose Conroy, our CEO, or Thomas Kowal, our President of North America. This is a unique chance for you to connect with individuals who are passionate about giving back to the industry. Students can look forward to sharing stories and discussing their future with them.

Enrollment period starts November 1, 2023, and goes through February 29, 2024.

Students will need to submit their application on seraphawards.com

For more information on how to participate, please visit seraphawards.com