Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) recently hosted its Annual Business Meeting and Supplier Awards in Umhlanga. The event brought together Toyota’s supplier partners to recognise outstanding performance, strengthen collaboration and share the company’s strategic vision for the year ahead.
The prestigious event marked the official introduction of Toyota’s 2026 theme: “Challenge and Innovate” to suppliers. The theme will guide Toyota and its broader value chain through 2026, driving a renewed focus on achieving key milestones while fostering a culture of continuous improvement, innovation and resilience across the organisation and its stakeholders.
The event was attended by Mr Ken Yamamoto, General Manager for Global Purchasing Engineering from Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC). In his address, Mr Yamamoto shared the global supplier partner vision and emphasised the critical collaborative role that suppliers play in supporting Toyota’s purpose of making ever better cars. He highlighted the importance of strong partnerships, shared values and innovation across Toyota’s global supply network.
Toyota South Africa Motors’ President and CEO, Andrew Kirby, delivered the keynote address, providing a business update reflecting on the 2025 performance and outlining the company’s priorities and outlook for 2026.
“Our suppliers are integral to Toyota’s success. As we look ahead to 2026, Challenge and Innovate is both a call to action and a shared commitment. By working closely together and embracing new ways of thinking, we can continue to strengthen our competitiveness and deliver greater value to our customers,” Kirby said.
The event culminated in the presentation of the supplier awards. The awards aim to recognise exceptional achievements across key performance areas including quality, delivery, cost competitiveness, innovation and sustainability.
The 2025 Toyota Superior Supplier Award categories and recipients are:
- Operational Excellence: OP Mobility
- Sustainability: Smiths Manufacturing
- Operational Support Excellence: ROVD RSA
- Customer Services – Parts: Smiths Manufacturing
- Customer Services – Conversions and Accessories: MAXE
- Customer Services – Logistics Services: Tshepang Carriers and Rentals
The 2025 Toyota Runner-Up Award categories and recipients are:
- Operational Excellence: Bay Tool & Die Makers and Feltex Automotive Trim
- Sustainability: Bay Tool & Die Makers and XTC Engineering
- Transformation: Zee Bee Supply Chain Solutions
- Operational Support Excellence: MOL ACE South Africa and MC Design & Contracting
- Customer Services – Parts: Supreme Spring
- Customer Services – Conversions and Accessories: Brink Towing Systems
- Customer Services – Logistics Services: Namlog
The 2025 Toyota Achievement Award categories and recipients are:
- Operational Excellence: Antolin South Africa, Fischer Stainless Steel Tubing S.A and CRH Africa Automotive
- Sustainability: L&J Tool and Engineering Works, Engen Petroleum and KDG Logistics
- Transformation: Sirius Manufacturing
- Operational Support Excellence: UNILEC SA, Andre’s Electrical and Grant Martie Builders
The President’s Award was presented to Mr. Nick Beaumont and Mr. Malcolm Anderson of Ramsay Engineering, in recognition of leadership excellence, long-term partnership and a legacy built on people, capability and resilience.
Congratulating the award recipients, Kirby added: “My sincere congratulations go to every one of our award recipients. Their achievements reflect not only exceptional results but a shared belief in teamwork, trust and continuous improvement. Our suppliers are an essential part of the Toyota family and we are proud to recognise the impact they make every day as we navigate a rapidly evolving automotive environment. These awards recognise not only their performance but the vital role they play in helping us achieve our vision of making ever better cars.”
As Toyota moves into 2026, it remains focused on challenging convention, innovating with purpose and working alongside its suppliers to achieve shared success and long‑term sustainability.
