Welcome to the latest episode wrap-up of the Auto Supply Chain Prophets podcast, where Jan Griffiths of Gravitas Detroit and I unravel the complexities and unveil the insights driving innovation in the automotive supply chain. I have the biggest smile on my face as I write this because I’m pleased to announce that we recently hit 7,000 downloads. Wow!
Every new “subscribe” is like a high five, and we’re getting a lot of those considering the Auto Supply Chain Prophets was recognized as one of 2023’s Best Podcasts for Automotive and Mobility Technology Suppliers. A big thank you to everyone who has supported us along the way!
If you missed an episode or two last year, or are new around here and trying to get the lay of the land, I highly recommend Episode #47, where Jan reviews some of our top themes and conversations from 2023. Cheers to another year of connecting with thought leaders, uncovering insights and challenging conventional wisdom as we steer the course toward an even more resilient automotive supply chain!
If you haven’t yet listened to or read about them, take a look at our wrap-up blogs covering past episodes of the Auto Supply Chain Prophets podcast.
Episode #46: The Crucial Role Of Risk Management In Future Supply Chains
Natural disasters, cybersecurity threats, global trade issues, equipment failure; supply chain disruption comes in many forms for automotive suppliers and companies can’t afford to take the pedal off risk management activities. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed existing vulnerabilities in our supply chains and new ones are taking shape all the time, yet taking a proactive approach to current and future risks can be difficult due to a lack of top-down support, incoming talent who frankly aren’t familiar with risk management, and poorly defined processes.
Few understand this conundrum, or know how to solve it, better than Cathy, Jan and I, having seen it firsthand more times than we can count. In this episode, we seek to do just that by taking a deep dive into risk management strategies, exploring how CEOs and cross-functional collaboration are the linchpins in creating resilient supply chains.
We also discuss an invaluable tool for your risk management arsenal: our recently updated white paper, “Leveraging Risk Management Throughout the Automotive Supply Chain,” which includes a breakdown of supply chain risks, the ins and outs of standards like Materials Management Operations Guideline, Logistic Evaluation (MMOG/LE) and IATF 16949, and how solutions such as QAD Supplier Relationship Management can help you put disruption in the rearview mirror.
At the end of the day, it’s not enough to merely acknowledge risk; we must actively engage in proactive risk management, conducting frequent assessments and quarterly reviews to stay ahead of the curve. As Cathy aptly put it, “Embracing risk assessment and risk-based thinking in your business actually helps you be a better innovator than if you’re just not looking at the risks at all.” And in an industry defined by innovation, that’s a lesson worth heeding.
Click here to listen to the full episode.
Episode #47: 2023 Playback | Auto Supply Chain Prophets Podcast Summary
As I sit down to write this, I’m struck by how quickly 2024 is flying by! I feel like I say that every year but, to quote Mark Twain, “Find a job you enjoy doing, and you will never have to work a day in your life” – and that’s exactly how I feel as your co-host of the Auto Supply Chain Prophets.
Coming into 2024 was particularly exciting for me because we’re now in the third year of our podcast (52 episodes!) and steering our loyal listeners on “delivering on the promise of delivery” is a true privilege. Plus, we have had the pleasure of touching base with some of the most brilliant minds in our industry and have learned a lot along the way!
This episode holds a special place in my heart because it’s a recap of the key themes that shaped our podcast in 2023. From global standards to the burgeoning realm of EV adoption, from the transformative power of automation to the critical importance of risk management, we’ve left no stone unturned. It’s this commitment to staying ahead of the curve that has positioned us as pioneers in driving industry conversations forward, and forms the heart of our vision found in our essential white paper, “The 24 Essential Supply Chain Processes.”
Whether you’re new to the Auto Supply Chain Prophets and trying to figure out what we’re all about or are a longtime listener who has been with us every step of the way, I promise you’ll love this episode. And be sure to listen to the end for a sneak peek at what we have in store for you in 2024!
Click here to listen to the full episode.
Episode #48: Lean Manufacturing | Thriving or Dying in Today’s Automotive Supply Chain
What does Lean mean to you? You probably have an answer to that question, but may be surprised to learn that a colleague has a completely different interpretation. That’s the funny thing about Lean manufacturing; it’s been around for decades, or even hundreds of years depending on who you ask, and can have a profound impact on operational excellence, yet its true meaning tends to get buried and lost in jargon.
In this episode, we had the privilege of hosting a true luminary in the world of Lean transformations, Beth Crowley, President of The Crowley Group, and Cathy, Jan and I agree we like her definition best: “Lean is really a lot of different things; it’s really misunderstood. But the basic premise of everyone who’s trying to get leaner is the elimination of waste.”
We like simple definitions that everyone on your team can get behind! There is, of course, more to Lean, but getting to the bottom of the methodology is easy with Beth’s insights. In this episode, we demystify the nexus between Lean and leadership, adoption challenges and the universality of Lean principles.
Beth also shares pragmatic advice on setting up successful Kanban systems and leveraging inventory management as a diagnostic tool. Give it a listen and you’ll see one thing is abundantly clear: Lean isn’t just a methodology; it’s a mindset shift that holds the key to unlocking the full potential of automotive supply chains.
Click here to listen to the full episode.
Episode #49: Supply Chain Dynamics | Technology, ESG Regulations, and Strategic Collaboration
As you likely know, we’re all about delivering actionable insights that will help you not only survive but thrive in the automotive supply chain of the future. In this episode, we do exactly that by taking a look two to five years into the future with Nichole Felton, Vice President of Supply Chain at ZF North America and an AIAG board member.
So, what does our industry look like a few years from now? We can’t speak to the full picture with certainty, but we do know that many emerging rules centered on global trade, forced labor and environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) concerns at the national level are going to mature. We also know that artificial intelligence (AI) and other technologies will continue to take hold, presenting both an opportunity and challenge for global supply chains. Today is the time to start preparing for tomorrow’s supply chain, but where should you begin?
Jan and I love Nichole’s answer, part of which is to get involved with industry organizations like AIAG and MEMA that support collaboration and communication within the automotive supply chain. We also appreciate her perspective on the importance of breaking down organizational silos. Knowledge is power and an enterprise as a whole is so much more effective when information is shared and departments work collectively to make informed decisions.
I’d also like to thank Nichole for drawing attention to the role of women in the automotive supply chain. We’re thrilled to see that changing, but it’s important to recognize that we, as women, have a duty to ourselves and others rising around us to speak up about our goals and work together to continue bringing down that glass ceiling. “We as women cannot put our heads down and think someone’s going to notice we’re working hard. You have to be vocal about what you want,” explains Nichole.
Click here to listen to the full episode.
Episode #50: ZNL Energy | The Next Unicorn in Battery Technology?
I’m always fascinated by the work of startups, in part because they have the potential to bring revolutionary new products to market but also because the road to success isn’t clearly defined, especially in the electric vehicle (EV) battery space. This definitely holds true for ZNL Energy CEO Benjamin Ferstad and Chief Strategy and Marketing Officer Jan Børge Sagmo who, in this episode, gave a front-row seat into the complexities of scaling new EV technology.
EV battery materials are particularly hot in the US right now thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act. Investment in EVs and related components more than doubled from $15 billion to $35 billion in the first year of the law. It’s a thrilling time for startups like ZNL Energy but, as we discussed in Episode #45 with Michael Robinet, Executive Director at S&P Global Mobility, bringing new EV products to market isn’t without challenges, especially when that can mean going head to head with more established players.
Benjamin and Jan share invaluable strategies for ensuring a smooth startup journey, underscoring the pivotal role of strategic partnerships and customer-centricity in driving success.
“We’re telling our vendors that we don’t want you as a vendor. We want you as a partner. We want to buy your lab scale machine or your pilot scale machine because we see that you can also deliver this larger, giga-scale machine that could serve us a couple of years down the road,” says Benjamin.
After speaking with them, it’s more clear to me than ever that succeeding in the fast-paced realm of battery technology isn’t just about innovation—it’s about perseverance, collaboration and a relentless pursuit of excellence. With brilliant minds like Benjamin and Jan at its back, I can’t wait to see what the future of automotive electrification has in store for us!
Click here to listen to the full episode.
Want to learn more? Visit the Auto Supply Chain Prophets website to download and catch up on all the latest podcast episodes.
