David Weekley Homes, the nation's second largest privately held homebuilder, released the winners of its Partners of Choice Awards. These awards are based on the National Trading Partners Survey, a quarterly review of over 100 suppliers rated by team members of David Weekley Homes. Suppliers are rated based on quality and service. Each company's numeric scores are averaged, and then an alpha grade is assigned relative to its ranking with all other of Weekley's national trading partners. Alpha grades range from A to F in 20% increments. The Partners of Choice Awards were presented to suppliers who maintained either an "A" rating in Quality or Service, or an "A,A" rating for both Quality and Service for the previous twelve months. "A" awards were given to the following companies: Cosentino USA ("A" in quality), makers of Silestone; Elk Corporation ("A" in quality); Moen ("A" in service); and Suncoast Post-Tension ("A" in quality). The following companies were recognized as winners of the prestigious "A,A" Partners of Choice Award: ABC Supply; the Dow Chemical Company; Honeywell; James Hardie; Simpson Strong Tie; and Trus Joist, a Weyerhauser Company.
The Weekley organization has demonstrated its strong commitment to excellence by having 700 team members from every market and every level inside their organization participate. In addition to rating partners on quality and service, team members are also asked specific questions such as, "Do you know who your local representative is and how to contact them?"; "What are the three biggest issues of frustrations you face in dealing with a trading partner?"; and "Would you like more product training from the trading partners? If so, please identify the preferred method of training."
Bill Justus, Vice President of Supply Chain Services for David Weekley Homes, implemented the unique supplier rating system in order to emphasize the importance for trading partners to be responsive to all David Weekley Homes team members. By providing feedback from builders, design center, warranty service and administrative personnel, trading partners know exactly how they are doing in each market and at every level inside the Weekley organization.
"Receiving the "A,A" Partners of Choice Award is the highest compliment we can pay our suppliers," Justus said. "It's very rare that any supplier would get an A in both quality and service, and those that did have proven that they are the best of the best."
Eileen Youds, vice president of Honeywell, North American Homes, says of the award, "It's extraordinary that we get such tangible feedback from a builder partner. We are honored to be given the Partners of Choice Award because it shows our commitment to the quality of our products and the integrity of our service."
The National Trading Partner Survey is sent quarterly to over 175 team members (700 annually). Once complete, each company receives a quarterly score card indicating their average scores and alpha grades for the quarter and rolling 12 months. Detailed information is also provided that includes every rater's name, title, e-mail address, phone number, specific market, ratings and comments. If a supplier's overall rating is a five or less, it has 30 days to contact the raters to discuss the situation, and file a report with David Weekley Homes.
Justus says it is too early to call the National Trading Partner Survey a success, but since its inception in September 2003, he has seen significant improvement in the average scores, and high participation inside the Weekley organization.
"The primary purpose of the survey is to create channel alignment--partners that are actively managing the supply chain to consistently meet our team members' needs," Justus said. "We plan on building and closing more than 5,500 homes this year and will continue to grow our business relationships with partners that create value in the eyes of our team members. All our award winners, and in particular our "A,A" providers, have demonstrated their commitment by delivering superior results."
About David Weekley Homes
David Weekley Homes, founded in 1976, is headquartered in Houston and operates in 15 cities across the United States. Since inception, David Weekley Homes has closed more than 40,000 homes with 2004 revenues exceeding $1 billion. For more information about David Weekley Homes, visit the company's web site at www.davidweekleyhomes.com
CONTACT: David Weekley Homes, Houston
Cindy Haynes, 713-316-3496
chaynes@dwhomes.com
For Editorial Information:
Bob Plishka
The Dow Chemical Company
(713) 978-2293
