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45 AutoData | May 2018 unprecedented crisis but which, it seems, is finally behind. Philipp Schiemer, CEO for Latin Ameri- ca, summarized for the audience of about five hundred professionals who work at the company’s suppliers: “This year, with no doubts, you are fa- cing a little more optimistic Mercedes- -Benz. Finally the economy returned to gain a little more speed. I’m sure each one of you is feeling the same way as I am. And that’s why I would like to congratulate everyone who has also gone through a crisis and now starts to come out of it much stronger”. The Purchasing director Erodes Ber- betz celebrated the resumption of pro- duction volumes after four years: “Of cour- se we are not at the ideal pace yet, but there are very positive signs already. And I hope that today we are all stronger and more prepared for what the future holds”. The Interação (Interaction) Award, one of the most traditional of the Brazilian vehi- cle industry, has recognized thirteen com- panies in seven categories in this edition. Mercedes-Benz also took advantage of the ceremony to deliver three trophies related to its Environmental Responsibi- lity Award, which is already in its eighth edition. THE WINNERS The Special award went to Moura Ba- terias, from Belo Jardim, PE, who already won the Interaction in 2005 and 2007 and this year, according to Mercedes-Benz, “it was recognized by the partnership of the last years with a view to implementing new technologies, in addition to willing- ness to continue innovating”. In the Quality category one of the win- ners was Cinpal, from Taboão da Serra, SP, manufacturer of forged and castings, which stood out as the basis of “a high performance team, acting with success and commitment in several projects, with The first quarter closed with a 50% increase in sales of trucks, the heavy vehicles, the largest segment in the segment, increased no less than 90% agility in the development of new items, quality and logistics”. Metalac SPS also won in the category, from Sorocaba, SP, manufacturer of high strength fasteners for critical application, such as connecting rod, wheel and bea- ring screw. For Mercedes-Benz, “Metalac has a first-class laboratory structure and a team of researchers and engineers, making the reference of quality in the production of fasteners in Brazil”. And equally Resfri Ar also took the award, from Vacaria, RS, specializing in air conditioners and truck accessories. Mercedes Benz believes that “an active team of engineers and researchers are Air Resfri’s differentiators, which makes it benchmarking in quality, reliability and safety”. In Logistics Durametal took the tro- phy, from Maracanaú, CE, Haldex, from São José dos Campos, SP, and Metal- part, from Diadema, SP. Durametal, which operates in the foundry and machining of drum brakes, brake discs andwheel hubs, started supplying in 1997 and increased the business with the automaker “thanks to the quality and punctuality of delive- ries, good relationship and commitment, always seeking to offer competitively pri- ced products”. Haldex, responsible for automatic brake adjusters, has “punctuality in its DNA, essential factor, ensuring agility and flexibility”. And Metalpart, which su- pplies around four hundred items, such