Century Mold’s Goodyear Award Spotlights Strategic Partnership and Precision

QUERÉTARO, Mexico – December 17, 2025 – In a significant acknowledgment of quality and collaboration, Goodyear Air Springs has honored Century Mold with a 2025 Supplier Award, placing a spotlight on the critical role of specialized suppliers in the modern automotive industry. The award, presented to Century Mold's advanced manufacturing facility in Querétaro, Mexico, recognizes the company for its outstanding performance, consistent quality, and innovative contributions to Goodyear's automotive programs.

This recognition transcends a simple accolade, underscoring a deeper industry truth: in an era of complex supply chains and rapid technological evolution, the symbiotic relationship between original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and their component suppliers is more crucial than ever. The honor validates not only Century Mold’s precision engineering capabilities but also the growing prominence of Mexico as a hub for high-value manufacturing.

The Anatomy of a Strategic Partnership

At the heart of the award is the strength of the partnership between the two companies. During a recognition ceremony, leaders from Goodyear Air Springs emphasized the integral nature of their supplier network. "Every supplier in this room plays a vital role in our success," a company representative stated. "Together, we can deliver growth that is profitable, responsible, and sustainable. Let's celebrate your achievements and look forward to building an even brighter future together."

This sentiment is a cornerstone of the contemporary automotive sector, where components like air springs are integral to vehicle safety, performance, and comfort. Air suspension systems, a growing feature in luxury vehicles, SUVs, and electric vehicles (EVs), demand components manufactured to exacting tolerances. Any failure in these systems can compromise vehicle dynamics and safety, making supplier reliability paramount. For Goodyear Air Springs, a leader in mission-critical engineered products, ensuring the quality of every part is non-negotiable.

Century Mold's leadership echoed the importance of this collaborative spirit. "Receiving this award from Goodyear Air Springs is a tremendous honor and a testament to the hard work and dedication of our Mexico team," said Adrian Velazco, Sales Director. "We take great pride in being a trusted partner and in helping our customers bring innovative, high-quality products to market."

This partnership-driven approach is essential for tackling industry-wide challenges, from lightweighting initiatives aimed at improving fuel efficiency and EV range to the integration of smart, adaptive suspension technologies. Suppliers are no longer mere order-takers; they are innovation partners expected to contribute engineering expertise and proactive solutions. "Partnerships like this are what drive our business forward," added Elizabeth Blake, Chief Commercial Officer at Century Mold. "We're grateful to Goodyear Air Springs for this recognition and look forward to continuing to grow together."

Querétaro: A Hub of Precision in a Global Supply Chain

The award's specific designation for Century Mold's Querétaro facility highlights the region's emergence as a world-class manufacturing center. Located in the heart of Mexico's Bajío region, Querétaro has cultivated a sophisticated industrial ecosystem that is particularly strong in the automotive and aerospace sectors—industries that demand the highest levels of precision and quality control.

The state's success is no accident. It is the result of a concerted effort to build a pro-business environment supported by robust infrastructure, a network of technical universities producing skilled engineers, and strategic government support. This has attracted significant foreign direct investment, transforming the region into a critical node in the North American supply chain. Companies operating in Querétaro benefit from a "cluster effect," with a dense network of suppliers, service providers, and talent fostering efficiency and innovation.

Furthermore, Querétaro is a key beneficiary of the "nearshoring" trend, as global companies seek to de-risk their supply chains by moving production closer to major consumer markets like the United States. The state’s strategic location offers logistical advantages, reducing shipping times and costs compared to overseas manufacturing hubs. Century Mold’s ability to deliver award-winning quality from its Mexican facility is a powerful testament to the region's capabilities, proving that complex, high-value components can be produced with world-class excellence south of the border.

Beyond the Mold: Specialization as a Competitive Edge

In a global market populated by massive, diversified automotive suppliers, Century Mold has carved out its success through strategic specialization. Describing itself as a "trusted plastic injection molding partner," the company focuses on precision-engineered components for demanding markets, including Automotive, Defense, and Industrial. This focus allows it to develop deep expertise and invest in the technology required to produce complex parts that many generalist molders cannot.

The automotive plastic injection molding market is a multi-billion dollar industry, driven by the relentless push for lighter, more fuel-efficient vehicles. Plastics are increasingly replacing metal in everything from interior trim to structural and powertrain components. Within this vast market, Century Mold competes not on volume for commodity parts, but on its ability to solve engineering challenges for high-performance applications like those found in Goodyear's air spring systems.

This specialization is a key differentiator. By helping OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers reduce risk, improve quality, and accelerate time-to-market, the company positions itself as an indispensable part of the product development cycle. The 2025 Supplier Award from Goodyear Air Springs serves as powerful external validation of this strategy, demonstrating that a deep focus on quality and collaborative innovation yields significant competitive advantages.

The Ripple Effect of Industry Recognition

An honor like the Goodyear Supplier Award carries weight far beyond the ceremony. For Century Mold, it acts as a powerful marketing tool and a seal of approval that resonates across the industry. Such awards serve as third-party validation, assuring potential customers in the automotive, defense, and industrial sectors that the company adheres to the highest standards of one of the world's most recognized brands.

This recognition can be a deciding factor for new business, as OEMs are constantly scouting for reliable partners to support next-generation vehicle programs. It reinforces trust with existing clients and provides a significant morale boost for the employees whose dedication made the achievement possible. As Sales Director Adrian Velazco noted, the award is a direct result of the "hard work and dedication" of the team on the ground.

Ultimately, the award highlights a successful formula: the fusion of specialized technical expertise, a genuine commitment to partnership, and a strategic geographic footprint. As the automotive industry continues its transformation toward electrification, autonomy, and sustainability, the need for agile, innovative, and reliable suppliers like Century Mold will only intensify. The partnership with Goodyear Air Springs is a clear example of how such collaborations not only meet the demands of today but also lay the groundwork for the innovations of tomorrow.