The 7th Symposium For Seeking The Excellence was held in Izmir on 20th and 21st of April, 2006 by the cooperation of Izmir Branch of Turkish Society for Quality (KALDER), Izmir Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir Aegean University, Aegean Region Chamber of Industry (EBSO), Association of Aegean Industrialists and Businessmen (ESİAD), Association of Aegean Young Businessmen (EGİAD) and Izmir Ataturk Organized Industrial Zone. The thema "To be or not to be in the future" was focused during the symposium. The winners of Aegean Region Quality Award and The Best Team of The Year-2006 Award were also assessed.

The Best Team of The Year Award, 7 companies with 11 teams attended this challenge by which the team works were evaluated as focusing on determined open areas on main and sub-processes and/or various issues planned to be developed for the cooperations and companies.

As being in the content of Operational Excellence (OPEX) projects which have been conducted by Hayes Lemmerz Turkey Operations and Hayes Lemmerz Jantas since 2004, our Team-"The Power of The Wheel" applied to The Best Team of The Year Award by the Project "Reduction of rim material scraps and increase of rim material usage". After the evaluations of the specialists-the jury, the team of Hayes Lemmerz Jantas was deserved and honoured to The Best Team of The Year Award-2006.

The leader of the Team "Power of The Wheel" was Mert Cetinel (Quality Engineer-6 Sigma Greenbelt) and the champion of the Project was Mustafa Gunusen. The team members were Izzet Altuntas, Huseyin Ustagil, Ahmet Genc and Alper Helvacı. General Manager Of Hayes Lemmerz Jantas Mr. Sureyya Percin took THE GREAT AWARD FOR BEST TEAM OF THE YEAR- 2006 from the Rectorate of Izmir Dokuz Eylul University, Mr. Prof. Dr. Emin Alıcı during the ceremony held on 21 st of April, 2006 at Cultural Palace of Sabancı.

According to the speech of Mr. Mustafa Zaim, the Director of Hayes Lemmerz Turkey Operations, "We are proud of being deserved with the Great Award and the approval of "Operational Excellence" model which has been implemented to Hayes lemmerz Jantas and Hayes Lemmerz Turkey Operations for 2 years with one of our projects of which its continuity and effectiveness during 6 months had been proved on positive trend by an independent authority. In the global market on which the competitiveness is at the top level, the key of "To be in the future" passes through the continuous improvement of the processes and self-renewal. I believe that our facilities, take place in Hayes Lemmerz Turkey Operations, will continue to jump up the level of success and their success will be continuous with this belief."