Saginaw, Michigan, April 5, 2017 – Means Industries was named a GM Innovation Award winner during General Motors’ 25th annual Supplier of the Year awards ceremony held Friday, March 31 in Orlando, Fla.
GM’s Innovation Award recognizes the top suppliers among thousands of global contenders that introduced innovations that benefit customers. Means was named one of eight 2016 Innovation Award winners for the Selectable One-Way Clutch (SOWC) created for the new 9T Hydra-Matic nine-speed front wheel drive automatic transmission.
“We are very honored to have GM recognize our Selectable One-Way Clutch technology with the Innovation Award,” said Bill Shaw, CEO of Means. “The Selectable One-Way Clutch represents a major advancement in transmission clutch technology.”
During the event, GM recognized 8 suppliers for providing the most innovative technologies resulting in the industry’s highest-quality vehicles.
“We are focused on building positive supplier relationships, bringing new, customer-centric innovations to GM and being the OEM of choice among suppliers,” said Steve Kiefer, GM vice president, Global Purchasing and Supply Chain. “The companies we recognize this year have brought innovation with the quality our customers deserve.”
Unlike conventional roller and sprag OWCs, Means’ MDs and CMDs can use aluminum components to transmit torque because of the way engagement forces are reacted. Benefits are also realized through component integration, reductions in mass, decreases in rotating inertia, and the ability to incorporate complex part geometry.
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