subject: Supply Chain Innovations For Automotive Industry [print this page] Around the globe you have clearly noticed the current struggle for life within the automotive industry. However, this "cry for help" situation pressurizes the classical known car manufacturers and also the probably future players coming out of China and India to think out of the blue.
"When it works for them it should also be good for us"! A sentence that I heard a lot of times from automotive suppliers being on the "confident" side.
Car manufacturers are using more and more common platforms and technologies but their eager to diversify spins-off on quality.... process and development audits reflecting the technical requirements will tell you a lot!
Who are the champions? :
"Toyota, Honda, Mazda for overall viability
"Audi and Lexus for the interior trim
"Mercedes for long-term stability
"BMW and Alfa Romeo for fun
"Peugeot and Citroen for suspension
In order to support supply chain innovations for the automotive industry with a strong cost-reduction edge, you should certainly consider no-nonsense consultants. Not just a standard type of service but much better one based upon extensive field experience from both sides of the table, the car companies and the tier supplier(s). People with the ability to make things happen!
Hereby some key arguments for making this right choice, selecting consultants with:
"a profound knowledge of the automotive landscape
"a strong functional wisdom of the complex material flows in every stage
"a clear sense of the process from innovation up till the final stage of industrialization and after-sales services
"an understanding of the technical requirements
"the capability to validate products and processes (audit)
"extensive knowledge of various cost-cutting methodologies
"a sense of speed and strong momentum
"the knowledge on how to differentiate one brand to another
"experience in both the original equipment and after-market world
Without in-depth experience of supply chain management, reverse auctions, value analysis, value engineering, simultaneous engineering, outsourcing etc. linked with specific technology you will not walk far in this challenging industry.
