In January, AIAG released the 2nd edition of CQI-8, the industry's guideline for Layered Process Audits (LPAs). This new version updates the first edition, released over eight years ago, and clarifies how LPAs support a company's business objective.
It was 1973. He was a Cuse college student driving a 1964 Buick convertible. And gas prices had quadrupled - to 30 cents a gallon. J. Scot Sharland, executive director of AIAG, recalls the OPEC oil embargo - and hearkens on Will Rogers - in our latest Why We Do What We Do feature.
Unless you are one of the few readers of this blog who are blissfully unaware of the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) conflict minerals rule, you probably know that the first-year filing deadline was June 2. The rule, which requires SEC-filing companies that manufacture or contract to manufacture products to investigate whether those products contain tin, tungsten, tantalum, or gold and, if so, to submit a special form to the SEC, has been the subject of numerous articles and analyses, not to mention lawsuits and high drama. Now that close to 1,300 forms have been filed and made available on the SEC's EDGAR website, it is a good time to take a look at what the filings reveal and what lessons can be learned from this first phase of conflict minerals compliance.
With more than two decades of experience in automotive forecasting, strategic analysis, and manufacturing finance, Michael Robinet has been quoted by worldwide print, radio, and TV media on a variety of industry topics. In his March 18, 2014 presentation titled "Global Light Vehicle Production: Shifts, Undercurrents and Global Integration," Robinet told the 200 attendees at the AIAG Supply Chain Summit that the world market is strong, but most of the growth is coming from China.
Read More
Whether you've been supplying auto manufacturers for years or you're just starting to work in the industry, you've probably noticed that quality standards are a major focus for us. Why do we care so much about them - and more importantly, why should you? We have the answers.
Read More
The supply chain is truly the heart of the automotive industry. It's what moves products, creates business relationships, and builds products consumers purchase over and over again. Clearly, your business needs to take supply chain management into consideration - but how do you determine where your products fall in the larger picture? What is the supply chain, really, and how can your business become a trusted part of it?
Let's face it - pleasing your customers in the auto industry can be difficult. Regulations, quality standards, and fees stack up, making it hard to focus on your business - and easy to write off the importance of cultivating business relationships. Despite the fact that commerce is becoming more automated and less personal, trust is still a major factor in the success of your business. Your customers need to know they can rely on you - and you need to know how best to prove you deserve that confidence. Here's how:
