A Proud Milestone | Relyans Max Earns Ford Q1 Certification

On July 22 local time, Relyans Max, a U.S. subsidiary of Hongji Group, held a Ford Q1 flag-raising ceremony at its Lapeer facility in Michigan.

Representatives from Ford’s Supplier Technical Assistance (STA) team — Randall Stec, STA Director – Exterior; Tony DeGrand, STA Senior Manager; and Alonso Leñero, STA Engineer — joined members of Hongji Group and the Relyans Max management team and employees to celebrate this important milestone and witness the raising of the Ford Q1 flag.

Earning Ford Q1 recognition represents Ford’s acknowledgment of Relyans Max’s performance in product quality, delivery, and continuous improvement, marking an important milestone in the company’s journey.

A Milestone Nearly 30 Years in the Making

During the ceremony, Randall Stec, Ford STA Director – Exterior, shared his special connection with the Lapeer facility spanning nearly three decades.

Around 30 years ago, Randall worked as a Supplier Quality Engineer and was responsible for the Lapeer facility as one of the supplier sites under his responsibility. At the time, he worked to help the facility earn an important supplier recognition from the automaker he was then working for, but the goal was ultimately not achieved.

Thirty years later, he returned to the Lapeer facility as a Ford representative and witnessed the site earn Ford Q1 recognition. For him, this made the occasion particularly meaningful.

He emphasized that Q1 is not an achievement earned by simply passing a one-time audit. It is the result of day-after-day commitment to quality, delivery, processes, and standards.

The Q1 Flag: A Recognition and a Commitment

During the ceremony, the Ford team expressed its appreciation to all Relyans Max employees, with special recognition for those working every day on the production floor.

Ford representatives emphasized that while commitment and investment from leadership are essential, it is the people on the shop floor — doing the right things and following the right processes every day — who ultimately make an achievement like Q1 possible.

“We spend so much of our time focusing on problems and the bad. Today, we have the opportunity to celebrate the victories and the millions of good parts that you ship.”

For both Ford and Relyans Max, Q1 represents not only recognition, but also a shared commitment.

For Relyans Max, it means continuing the discipline required to maintain strong quality and delivery performance. For Ford, Relyans Max becoming a Q1 supplier also represents an opportunity to further strengthen the relationship and continue building a long-term partnership.

Continued Investment in the Future of Lapeer

Since becoming part of Hongji Group and transitioning to Relyans Max, the Lapeer facility has strengthened its focus on customer satisfaction.

To support the facility’s manufacturing capabilities and long-term development, Hongji Group has continued to invest in new manufacturing equipment, new technologies, IT systems, and operational improvements on the shop floor. At the same time, colleagues from Hongji’s China operations and the local Relyans Max team have worked together across manufacturing, equipment, technology, automation, and supply chain initiatives to drive improvements and strengthen the facility’s capabilities.

During the ceremony, the Relyans Max management team also expressed its sincere appreciation to Hongji Group Chairman Xiangjun Xie for his confidence in the local team, his belief in the future of the Lapeer operation, and the Group’s continued investment in the facility’s long-term development.

These investments and collaborative efforts are being translated into stronger operational performance, greater customer satisfaction, and a solid foundation for Relyans Max’s long-term growth.

This Q1 Flag Belongs to Every Member of the Relyans Max Team

Today’s achievement belongs to everyone who contributed to making it possible.

It belongs to the manufacturing and maintenance teams who uphold quality and delivery standards every day; to the engineering and quality teams who strengthen processes and drive continuous improvement; and to logistics, planning, customer service, finance, sales, HR, HSE, and every other team that supports the success of the operation.

As shared during the ceremony:

“When you see the Q1 flag flying outside, remember that your dedication, teamwork, and commitment made it possible.”

“To all Relyans Max employees, the Q1 flag belongs to you.”

Q1 is not the finish line. It is a commitment to the future.

Moving forward, Relyans Max will continue to focus on customer needs, strengthen its processes, improve technology, and enhance its manufacturing and operational capabilities. The team will continue working toward zero defects and 100% on-time delivery, earning long-term customer trust through consistent performance and continuous improvement.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, the Ford Q1 flag was officially raised at the Relyans Max Lapeer facility, witnessed by guests and employees.

The raising of the flag represents both honor and responsibility — recognition of what has been achieved and a commitment to even higher standards for the future.

Congratulations to Relyans Max!

Congratulations to every team member who contributed to achieving Q1!

About Ford Q1

Ford Q1 is an important supplier quality and manufacturing recognition program established by Ford Motor Company and is a significant recognition within Ford’s supplier management system.

Achieving Q1 recognition goes beyond passing a one-time audit. Suppliers are expected to meet Ford’s requirements across areas including quality management systems, manufacturing process controls, product quality, delivery performance, and continuous improvement, while demonstrating sustained performance in their daily operations.

For an automotive supplier, earning Ford Q1 represents important customer recognition of its overall quality, manufacturing, and operational capabilities. It also represents an ongoing responsibility and commitment to maintaining high standards.

As emphasized by Ford representatives during the ceremony:

“Q1 is not the result of a one-time audit. It is the result of day-after-day commitment.”