Important Note:
Each supplier wishing to do business with Tenneco is required
to meet the guidelines indicated in this European Supplier Manual,
as well as the Worldwide Supplier Manual.

• Supplier Performance Rating "Guideline"
• Supplier Quality Rating System
• Quality Manual Table of Contents
• Quality Manual Forms and Attachments

Supplier Quality Rating System

Definition by category

All suppliers to TAE will have their products categorized and placed in one of the following grades:

1. Technically significant / critical parts or material
2. Functional parts or material
3. Standard parts or material

The product material grade determines the minimum quality system certification or approvals required before a supplier can be placed on the TAE approved supplier list.

Definition by category

1. Technically significant / critical parts or material

This category is for parts or material which are designated as having direct critical influence on the finished product, safety of performance.

2. Functional parts or material

This category is for parts or material which form part of the finished product, and are fit for use, and do not directly affect product performance or safety.

3. Standard parts or material

This category is for parts or materials which have no effect on the performance or safety of the product, and have no direct influence on finished product manufacture and final customer assembly.  If you are unsure in which category your product falls, please contact your local SCM Manager.

Quality system mandatory requirements

Supplier quality system rating - exemption procedure

It is possible in unavoidable circumstances that a supplier can be approved to supply parts or material to TAE plants without a Tenneco quality rating approval. In order for this to happen a TAE supplier quality system waiver form must be completed showing reasons for request and submitted for approval by TAE purchase director / site supply chain manager and TAE quality director / site quality manager. If the request is approved it must be for a stated specific time period.

Metrics

High emphasis is given on the following metrics:

• ppm (definition from brochure)
• on time delivery
• certification to the required quality standard

Continuous improvement

The requirements outlines in TAE's supplier rating system are mandatory. Yearly goals to facilitate continuos improvement needs to be set. Failing to meet the requirements will trigger formal corrective actions that have to be documented and communicated using the 8D format.

Consistently failing to meet the requirements will result in revisiting the customer - supplier relationship and will be followed by necessary actions.

Attachments

• Supplier quality system waiver authorization form
• Standard material supplier commitment form