UniCarriers Americas Corp (UCA) has judged Cargill Metals, DMK USA Inc, KSM Industries Inc, Northfield Industries LLC and Zapi Inc as "green" partners participating in cost reductions and providing superior customer service. Each has received a UCA supplier excellence award.

Cargill Metals supplies raw materials from an East Chicago, Indiana facility for UCA's in-house manufacturing requirements. The subsidiary of Minnetonka, Minnesota-based Cargill Inc produces iron ore, steel scrap and finished products.

DMK of Stevens Point, Wisconsin designs and manufactures off-highway work lights, including light-emitting diodes, high-intensity discharge lamps and halogen lights.

KSM Industries of Germantown, Wisconsin is a contract metal processor specialising in the fabrication of carbon steel, stainless steel and aluminium.

Northfield Industries through its Fine Points LLC unit in Schaumburg, Illinois manufactures precision machined components including hubs, spindles and other parts for forklifts. Northfield acquired Fine Points in August 2002.

Zapi, through an operation of Schabmüller GmbH, produces motor controllers for industrial battery-powered vehicles. Zapi in Garner, North Carolina is a subsidiary of Zapi SpA of Poviglio, Italy. The parent firm acquired Schabmüller of Berching, Germany in October 2012.

More than 75 suppliers attended the Marengo-based materials handling equipment manufacturer's second annual supply chain-related conference. The strategic partners "have demonstrated their commitment to our mutual success", says John Arnold, director of UCA supplier management.