BUTLER - Autoline Industries USA has received a 2009 Supplier of the Year Award from General Motors, in recognition of its performance by its brake and clutch pedal product line at Autoline's plant in Butler.

Autoline Industries' Butler factory supplies brake and clutch pedals, jack and tool kits and transfer case shifter assemblies to General Motors for both passenger cars and light trucks. This is the first time Autoline Industries has received the prestigious GM supplier award.

Autoline bought its GM brake and clutch pedal business from the closed Drive-Sol plant of Kendallville and began shipping parts to GM in March 2009, said Ron Lanning, manufacturing manager at Butler.

"We got the supplier of the year award for that business that we kept alive by buying the GM business from Drive-Sol in Kendallville," Lanning said.

In addition, he said, in October GM asked Autoline to take over production of transfer case shifter assemblies from another supplier and begin production within 12 weeks.

"We came in and worked through the holidays, and we launched on time," which also earned GM's gratitude, he said.

Autoline Industries USA president Sri Bramadesam accepted the GM award from Randy Pappal, GM's executive director of global purchasing, and Ray Bierzynski, GM's executive director of global vehicle engineering, during a presentation March 11 at the GM Design Dome in Warren, Mich.

"We're very honored to receive this award, as it demonstrates our continued focus on meeting and exceeding GM's world-class performance standards. To receive this award in the company's second year of operation in the USA demonstrates the very high confidence the customers have in the global capabilities of Autoline Industries," Bramadesam said.

Autoline was one of 76 suppliers to receive the award out of nearly 20,000 GM suppliers. The award recognizes significant contributions of GM suppliers in 2009.

In a news release, Autoline thanked Tower Bank of Fort Wayne for its support.

"In particular, Tower has been on board with us from day one in providing consultative financial solutions and advice. Their turnkey approach has added depth to our partnership as they continue to provide for our business needs company wide," Autoline said.

Since early 2009, Autoline's work force has grown from 22 to 73 full-time hourly employees, Lanning said.

"We are now moving into some business with Ford that's going to launch in November. We're going to add eight employees for that line," he said.