The Toledo Jeep plant has received its owners’ second-highest internal manufacturing award.

The Toledo Assembly Complex, which builds Jeep Wranglers and Jeep Cherokees, is the second North American assembly plant owned by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles to achieve the designation and the company’s first U.S. assembly plant to do so.

The silver-status award in world class manufacturing, announced Thursday, recognizes the local facility’s efforts to cut waste while increasing productivity and improving quality. Because the process relies heavily on employee engagement, the awards are seen as somewhat of a validation of the strength of a plant’s work force.

“The Toledo Assembly Complex employees have a longstanding commitment to supporting the iconic Jeep brand and its 75 years of legendary heritage. They have applied that same dedication to developing a deeper understanding of the world class manufacturing methodology, which solidifies their position as an integral part of the company’s industrial footprint. We applaud their efforts, which have resulted in being designated a silver plant,” Brian Harlow, Fiat Chrysler’s top North American manufacturing official, said in a statement.

Under the current UAW contract, winning the silver award means that about 5,000 workers at Toledo Assembly would each get a $2,000 bonus.

The world class manufacturing process was brought to Chrysler when the company merged with Fiat SpA in 2009.

Toledo joins the Dundee Engine Plant in Michigan and the Windsor Assembly Plant in Ontario as the only North American plants to snare the silver certification.

The company says achieving such award levels recognizes the long-term commitment of the work force to making significant changes that can secure the future of a facility.

Contact Tyrel Linkhorn at tlinkhorn@theblade.com or 419-724-6134.

First Published May 6, 2016, 4:00 a.m.