Auto Supply Chain Champions – Détails, épisodes et analyse

At the heart of The Prophets’ vision are “The 24 Essential Supply Chain Processes.” What are they? Find out, and see the future yourself. Click here

Is your organization ready to thrive in a world of constant disruption? Dr. Nadya Zhexembayeva, Chief Reinvention Officer and founder of the Reinvention Academy joins Terry Onica and Jan Griffiths on Auto Supply Chain Prophets to explore why reinvention has become the top priority for businesses worldwide.

The days of long business cycles are over. Today, the average lifespan of a business model is down to just five years. With change accelerating across industries, companies can no longer rely on incremental improvements—they must embrace reinvention as an ongoing, proactive process.

But what does reinvention look like? From Philips' shift from consumer electronics to medical imaging to how a Slovenian heating company found its future in the automotive sector, Dr. Nadya's real-world examples reveal how rethinking strengths and opportunities can open new doors.

She also introduces The Titanic Syndrome, her groundbreaking book that draws a parallel between the Titanic's fate and the challenges modern businesses face. With striking examples—from Kodak's demise to startling statistics about Fortune 500 turnover—Dr. Nadya challenges leaders to rethink their approach before their organizations hit their own iceberg.

The real challenge? Culture. To address this, Dr. Nadya offers practical advice for leaders: gather your team for a "75-5 Exercise" that encourages them to rethink long-held assumptions and establish new rules for thriving in today's fast-paced world.

Dr. Nadya's message is clear: Stability is gone, and disruption is here to stay. Leaders must adjust their mindsets and embrace reinvention as a continuous journey. By doing so, they can turn challenges into opportunities and ensure their organizations not only survive but thrive.

Themes discussed in this episode:

• The rapid decline in business model lifespans, from decades to just five years, and what this means for the industry
• Why incremental changes are no longer enough in today’s fast-paced world
• How Philips’ pivot to medical imaging and Hidria’s transition to automotive demonstrate the power of rethinking strengths
• The concept of The Titanic Syndrome and how overconfidence, resistance to change, and lost knowledge are leading businesses to failure
• The cultural transformation needed to embrace continuous reinvention across teams and leadership
• Practical tools like the “75-5 Exercise” to challenge old assumptions and create new strategies for today’s evolving market
• Why leaders must see disruption as the new normal and treat reinvention as an ongoing, proactive process

Featured on this episode: 

Name: Dr. Nadya Zhexembayeva

Title: Founder & Chief Reinvention Officer, Reinvention Academy

About: Known as “The Reinvention Guru” and “The Queen of Reinvention,” Dr. Nadya Zhexembayeva is a scientist, entrepreneur, and acclaimed author with expertise in resilience and reinvention. She has guided organizations like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Coca-Cola, Cisco, L’Oréal, Danone, Henkel, Erste Bank, Danfoss, and Knauf Insulation in transforming their products, leadership strategies, and business models to adapt to shifting market demands and anticipate future disruptions. Nadya has delivered keynotes and workshops to over 500,000 executives, including four TEDx talks. Her award-winning books, along with her contributions to Forbes and Harvard Business Review, further solidify her as a thought leader in her field.

Connect: LinkedIn

Mentioned in this episode:

• HBR article "Constant Change Is Rewriting the Psychological Contract with Employees"
• Nadya's latest book, "The Chief Reinvention Officer Handbook: How to Thrive in Chaos"
• For CEOs, reinvention momentum is building
• Titanic Syndrome: Why Companies Sink and How to Reinvent Your Way Out of Any Business Disaster

Episode Highlights:

[03:30] Why Reinvention Matters Now: The lifespan of a business model has shrunk from 75 years to just five. Dr. Nadya explains why reinvention must be a continuous, proactive process—more like brushing your teeth than a one-time project—to keep up with today’s fast-paced world of change.

[06:39] What Reinvention Really Means: Dr. Nadya defines reinvention as managing a diverse portfolio of changes—ranging from incremental tweaks to radical transformations. She emphasizes that there’s no universal formula; each company must develop its own approach, blending continuous innovation and system-wide reinvention to adapt and thrive.

[09:33] Rebuilding Trust in Change: Employee support for change has plummeted—from 74% in 2016 to just 43% 5 years later. Dr. Nadya explains how broken psychological contracts and constant disruptions fuel resistance and why quick wins and confidence-building are key to re-engaging teams.

[14:47] Reinvention in Action: What do you do well, and who else might need it? Philips transformed from TVs to medical imaging, and Hidria pivoted from heating systems to automotive parts, proving the power of aligning core strengths with new market opportunities.

[18:23] The Titanic Syndrome: Dr. Nadya shares how her consulting journey began unexpectedly and led to her groundbreaking book, The Titanic Syndrome. She explains how overconfidence, resistance to change, and lost knowledge spell disaster for modern companies.

[23:04] Turning Crises into Opportunity: Dr. Nadya introduces the “75-5 Exercise,” a powerful team activity that revisits outdated rules from the long-cycle era and creates strategies tailored to today’s fast-changing environment. By rethinking old methods and embracing the new normal, teams can turn constant disruption into a competitive advantage.

[29:29] A Painful Business Metaphor: Using a live example with CEOs, Dr. Nadya demonstrates how many businesses are stuck in temporary fixes, refusing to adjust for long-term change. Her advice? “Adjust your chair” and embrace reinvention as a permanent mindset to stop the discomfort.

Top Quotes:

[05:13] Nadya: “If in the 20th century, the average life cycle of a business model was 75 years. This year, the average life cycle of a business model, including monopolies, mining, metals, and all those very long-cycle companies, is five years. Meaning you have to reinvent faster than you have ever done before. And 20% of companies today are reinventing faster than the budgetary price cycle, faster than every 12 months. So, when you are at this speed of change, things are moving very fast: new technology, new regulations, new customer demands, new competitors; you have to go faster and faster. And that's why reinvention is becoming such a big, big thing. Is that we recognize that incremental change is no longer sufficient. You still need to do it, but you cannot limit yourself only to incremental change.”

[10:20] Nadya: “Just in 2016, on average, 74% of employees were willing to support enterprise change, 74%. Five years later, it was only 43% and falling. Most employees today are actually trying to prevent their companies from changing, and statistics from another organization, Gallup, actually show that an average of 15% of employees are actively sabotaging their businesses, their companies, and their bosses in trying to prevent change from happening. So, they're in a state of active sabotage. That's Gallup 2024 research. Those two numbers combined, those two studies combined, tell me that the way we approach change is all wrong.”

[19:48] Nadya: “By 2014, the number of companies that were in desperate need of reinvention and were facing bankruptcy was through the roof. And I couldn't figure out what it is, because most of them think it's a technical or technological problem. If we only figured out the right technology, we would solve it. That's a very typical mistake. When I stand in front of a group of people and ask them, "What killed Kodak?" They say, "Digital photography." Great answer; the problem is Kodak invented digital photography; it was their own R&D. And that is the case for most companies; they think if we gather winning technology, this would be solving all our problems. No, it's a mindset problem. It's a management system problem.”

[27:45] Nadya: “Stop thinking this is temporary. If it's not electric China, it will be COVID. If it's not COVID, it will be elections. If it's not an election, it will be a recession. If it's not a recession, it...

At the heart of The Prophets’ vision are “The 24 Essential Supply Chain Processes.” What are they? Find out, and see the future yourself. Click here

AI is revolutionizing the automotive supply chain, but how do leaders harness its potential while staying true to ethical principles? In this episode, hosts Terry Onica and Jan Griffiths dive deep into the transformative power of AI with Dr. Charlotte de Brabandt, Head of IT Partner Management at ZF and a global thought leader on ethical AI. Charlotte's impressive career—spanning roles at Porsche, Volkswagen, Johnson & Johnson, and Amazon—gives her a unique perspective on how ethical AI is transforming the industry.

Charlotte introduces ethical AI as the development of systems that prioritize fairness, transparency, and accountability. She explains how addressing challenges such as bias and privacy during development ensures these systems align with ethical standards. This approach, she explains, not only fosters trust with suppliers and partners but also gives businesses a competitive edge.

For supply chain leaders, Charlotte offers practical insights on integrating AI into procurement and supply chain processes. She explains how AI can automate repetitive tasks, optimize decision-making, and strengthen supplier relationships. Through examples from industry leaders like IBM and Unilever, she shares the benefits of adopting ethical AI, from improving efficiency to meeting sustainability goals.

This transformation, however, requires more than just technology—it demands a cultural shift. How do you ensure AI-driven decisions are fair? How do you build a governance framework to guide ethical AI integration? Most importantly, how do leaders move from the outdated command-and-control approach to a collaborative, trust-based supply chain?

Charlotte's message is clear: The time to start embracing AI is now. The future is here, and the companies that embrace ethical AI today will lead the industry tomorrow. Don't miss this deep dive into the future of ethical AI in the automotive industry!

Themes discussed in this episode:

• The role of ethical AI in fostering fairness, transparency, and accountability in the automotive supply chain
• Why addressing bias and privacy concerns is essential to building trust with suppliers and partners
• How ethical AI can streamline repetitive tasks and enhance decision-making in procurement and supply chain processes
• Examples of successful AI integration in companies like IBM and Unilever
• The cultural shift required to move from command-and-control leadership to collaborative, trust-based partnerships
• The importance of establishing governance frameworks to ensure responsible and ethical use of AI
• Why adopting ethical AI now is critical for gaining a competitive edge and preparing for the industry’s future

Featured on this episode: 

Name: Dr. Charlotte Anabelle de Brabandt

Title: Head of IT Partner Management (with Procurement) & Deputy Head of IT Governance and Compliance, ZF Group

About: Dr. Charlotte Anabelle de Brabandt is a recognized digital futurist and procurement expert with over a decade of international experience across industries such as automotive, technology, and pharmaceuticals. She’s a published author, TEDx speaker, ISM 30 under 30 Megawatt Winner, a key member of the (ISM®) Thought Leadership Council, Executive Board member of Global Women Procurement Professionals (GWPP), and Advisory Board member of the Global Council for Diversity and Inclusion in Procurement (and Supply Chain). Charlotte is passionate about fostering collaboration, building high-performing teams, and aligning procurement strategies with sustainability goals. With a global perspective and proven expertise, she continues to drive impactful change in procurement and IT governance. 

Connect: LinkedIn

Mentioned in this episode:

• Navigating the Ethical Landscape of AI
• Autonomous and Intelligent Systems (AIS) Standards
• Ethics guidelines for trustworthy AI
• AI Now Institute
• Global MMOG/LE Standards for Automotive Suppliers
• 24 Essential Supply Chain Processes Worksheet for Supplier Performance

Episode Highlights:

[04:44] What is Ethical AI? Dr. Charlotte de Brabandt explains the concept of ethical AI and how it can provide competitive advantages for businesses that choose to adopt it.

[06:07] Ethics vs. Economics: Global economic challenges may slow ethical AI adoption. However, technological advancements present opportunities for businesses to invest in AI that aligns with ethical practices and attracts value-driven customers.

[08:03] AI in Supply Chain Management: AI transforms procurement, from automating tasks to strengthening supplier relationships. But its true potential lies in fostering trust—identifying risks, ensuring fairness, and enhancing transparency across every connection.

[10:48] The Mindset Shift for AI: AI isn’t here to replace jobs but to elevate them. Handling repetitive tasks frees professionals to focus on creativity and high-value work. Examples from IBM and Unilever show its potential in improving efficiency and meeting sustainability goals.

[20:09] Building Ethical AI Frameworks: Dr. Charlotte de Brabandt recommends starting with strong internal frameworks, leveraging resources like IEEE and European Commission guidelines, and tailoring best practices to fit your company’s goals.

[24:27] The First Step in AI: The first step in adopting AI? Establish a governance framework that integrates ethics into every stage of AI development.

[25:36] The Time to Act is Now: AI is evolving rapidly, and delaying adoption means missing opportunities. Dr. Charlotte de Brabandt reflects on how openness and collaboration can revolutionize procurement and drive innovation with ethical AI.

Top Quotes:

[05:06] Charlotte: “In the field of AI, ethical AI actually focuses on continuously developing artificial intelligence systems that ensure fairness, transparency, accountability, and respect for privacy. It is extremely crucial to get more familiar with this word, and as businesses evolve, integrating that ethical AI element is just essential to aligning technology with ethical standards and addressing biases, protecting data privacy. So, companies that then prioritize ethical AI, they get to build trust with their partners, with the vendors, they get to reduce risks, they gain a whole lot of competitive advantage, the whole competitive edge as being responsible leaders.”

[08:34] Charlotte: “AI is definitely revolutionizing procurement and supply chain management by, very much, automating all the tasks that we have going on, also enhancing decision-making, and especially improving the supplier relationships. So, I would say key ethical considerations. They include avoiding these biases but also going more into depth into ensuring transparency and protecting sensitive data. And while AI can help to identify supply chain risks, in my opinion, it's just essential to ensure algorithms are fair and do not disadvantage specific suppliers or regions, if you would like to say.”

[20:23] Charlotte: “Establishing a solid governance framework within the organization and integrating ethics into all stages of AI development and engaging the stakeholders for insights that should be the step number one. So, investing into trainings to build internal expertise and then staying informed. But for businesses aiming to then integrate ethical AI as the second step, I do recommend resources such as the IEEE guidelines, the European Commission’s AI ethics guidelines, and materials from the AI Now Institute, actually. Additionally, industry-specific resources and case studies can also be found just all over. And there is no perfect match, as there is never perfection around us, but there are just insights into best practices, sharing, and real-world applications of ethical AI.”

[26:17] Charlotte: “When I started in 2009, working for Volkswagen, it was really just hiding the vendors and no information, and really having that poker face. But then, as time emerged and as COVID happened, and we went into that virtual environment, I remember I then hosted this global RFP, and for the first time, I actually set up a call with 77 vendors. And back...

At the heart of The Prophets’ vision are “The 24 Essential Supply Chain Processes.” What are they? Find out, and see the future yourself. Click here

In this Auto Supply Chain Prophets episode, hosts Terry Onica and Jan Griffiths explore the world of automotive software and technology with their guest, Manoj Karwa, Chief Revenue Officer for the Americas at Elektrobit.

Manoj dives into the exciting world of Software-Defined Vehicles (SDVs) and the advantages of open-source technology. He explains how SDVs, much like smartphones, will continually evolve with new features and improvements over time, enhancing everything from infotainment to safety.

Elektrobit is at the forefront of these innovations, with its software powering over five billion devices across over 600 million vehicles. Manoj highlights Elektrobit's groundbreaking Linux OS solution, the first and only to meet ASIL B/SIL 2 safety requirements. This commitment underscores Elektrobit's dedication to advancing safer and more reliable Software-Defined Vehicles.

The discussion also covers the challenges and importance of validating software to prevent issues like the recent CrowdStrike incident that caused the largest outage in the history of information technology.

When it comes to choosing the right software partners, Manoj believes that opting for the cheapest option can backfire. Instead, he advocates for focusing on value and quality, drawing from his experience in the automotive industry. He notes that as the market becomes more fragmented with new players and technologies, flexibility and a commitment to delivering exceptional value will be key for supply chain leaders.

Manoj concludes the episode with critical advice for leaders in the automotive supply chain: prioritize software above all else. He warns that failing to adapt to this software-driven future could lead to obsolescence, urging leaders to reinvent themselves or be left behind.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone in the auto supply chain looking to understand the future landscape of automotive technology and software's pivotal role in driving innovation and efficiency.

Themes discussed in this episode:

• The role of automotive software in Software-Defined Vehicles and automotive technology
• Understanding the potential benefits of Elektrobit's open-source source approach
• How Software is transforming the automotive sector, including innovation and integration challenges
• Enhancing customer experience through software updates and added functionalities.
• The importance of software validation in ensuring the safety and security of software in vehicles
• Strategies and considerations for managing the supply chain with a focus on software integration.
• Why designing the software before the hardware is essential in today's automotive landscape

Featured on this episode:

Name: Manoj Karwa

Title: Chief Revenue Growth Officer Americas at Elektrobit Automotive Americas Inc.

About: Manoj Karwa, Chief Revenue Growth Officer Americas at Elektrobit Automotive Americas Inc., brings over 20 years of experience in the mobility industry, specializing in electric vehicle infrastructure, electric drive, power electronics, and energy storage systems. He has played key roles in scaling operations and facilitating acquisitions in the EV and renewable energy sectors, including overseeing the deployment of over 10,000 EV charging stations across major automakers and nearly 3,000 dealerships. Before Elektrobit, Manoj held leadership positions at EVBox, Leviton Manufacturing, General Motors, AT Kearney, and Ricardo Consulting and was part of the management team that led to the acquisition of Rhombus Energy Solutions for $185MM by BorgWarner, marking the largest North American electric vehicle infrastructure transaction to date. He also serves as a board member of the University of Michigan Economic Growth Institute and holds degrees from Carnegie Mellon University, Purdue University, and the University of Michigan.

Connect: LinkedIn

Mentioned in this episode:

•  Software-defined Vehicles
•  Elektrobit’s open-source approach
•  ECU (Electric Control Unit)
•  API (Application Programming Interface)
• What is ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems)?
•  EB corbos Linux for Safety Applications
• 2024 CrowdStrike incident
•  COVESA, Autotech Council, & SAE International
• Volkswagen to invest $5 billion into Rivian 

Episode Highlights:

[04:47] Elektrobit and Software-Defined Vehicles: Manoj introduces Elektrobit and delves into software-defined vehicles, explaining how it transforms cars into continuously updated platforms through software updates.

[06:14] What is Open Source? Elektrobit's view and approach to open-source software highlight the collaborative benefits and the potential for rapid innovation and cost savings in the automotive industry.

[09:00] A Leader in Automotive Software: Manoj explains Elektrobit's competitive edge in the industry and showcases the first and only Linux OS solution to comply with ASIL B/SIL 2 safety requirements.

[10:29] Software Delivery: Manoj explains Elektrobit's various partnerships and commitment to over-the-air updates to integrate software with vehicles seamlessly.

[11:29] CrowdStrike Incident: Manoj recounts his experience with a significant cybersecurity incident involving CrowdStrike, emphasizing the critical importance of validating software to prevent failures and ensure safety.

[15:35] Cheapest is Not the Way to Go: Understand why opting for the cheapest solution in automotive software is a mistake. Manoj offers valuable advice for industry leaders looking to partner with software providers.

[19:24] Why Offer Software? Companies should start offering software solutions to position themselves at the forefront of the automotive industry's shift towards Software-Defined Vehicles.

[24:38] Think of Software First: Manoj explains the disruptive impact of prioritizing software development before hardware design and how embracing this mindset is crucial for automotive companies' future survival and competitiveness.

Top Quotes:

[05:34] Manoj: “What is Software-Defined Vehicles? Well, just like your smartphone, when you first buy it, it keeps getting better. The expectation is there are more features and more benefits, and you're going to evolve; the vehicle will evolve over time to meet customer and fleet requirements. There's a wide range of sensors to provide inputs, and there's communication internally and externally. The expectation is that it's not a one-and-done, that you buy it, and this is the experience. But the fact is that it'll get better over time; it'll delight you either with infotainment, with safety, with performance, with diagnostics; this is what's happening now, and this is the future.”

[14:15] Manoj: “The example that happened with the airlines and the hotels (CrowdStrike), that was not a malicious attack. But when we're talking about autonomous, connected, shared vehicles, if this occurs, this is why it's so important to validate software, either through virtualization, through demonstrations, upfront, before you push it forward. I can only imagine what would happen in the US or any other country where a type of vehicle or a segment of the market just slows down or gets stopped. It made me very thoughtful about what I'm doing today with Elektrobit and how important embedded software is in everything we use, especially transportation.”

[17:05] Manoj: “I need to differentiate between providing more value to the customer and more value in terms of either quality or saving them time...

At the heart of The Prophets’ vision are “The 24 Essential Supply Chain Processes.” What are they? Find out, and see the future yourself. Click here

In this special milestone episode of the Auto Supply Chain Prophets podcast, co-hosts Terry Onica and Jan Griffiths celebrate reaching their 60th episode by revisiting six key moments from previous episodes that highlight the core mission of their show: preparing leaders in the auto industry for the future.

First up is TS Tech's innovative approach to MMOG/LE standard implementation. They share how Wendy and Jeff, key figures in MMOG/LE compliance, shed light on the often-overlooked material side of the supply chain. 

Next, they explore risk management with insights from Christopher Mattingly, former VP of Transportation for Stellantis, who underscores the critical need for risk management in supply chains, sharing practical advice on contingency planning.

Shifting gears to the EV space, they revisit the comeback story of Volta Truck, an EV startup, showing how important training and alignment are in overcoming challenges in the auto industry.

In another segment, Terry and Jan delve into the enduring relevance of EDI, with Fred Coe likening it to the industry's lifeblood, and touch on the potential of new technologies like APIs. They also discuss QAD's Red Zone in an episode with Kevin Shayer, who explains how implementing the connected workforce solution boosted their company's productivity and engagement.

The final highlight is the episode with Mike Payoink, whose passion for moving beyond spreadsheets to a standardized, automated process across different plants demonstrates the significant benefits of real-time visibility and collaboration in managing quality and supplier issues.

In a captivating wrap-up, they identify five key success factors drawn from their extensive podcast journey, offering listeners actionable advice for navigating the future of the auto supply chain.

Themes discussed in this episode:

• The importance of implementing the Materials Management Operations Guideline (MMOG/LE) and overcoming compliance challenges
• The necessity of effective risk management and contingency planning in supply chains
• The role of teamwork and education in achieving compliance and operational success
• Exploring the EV space with insights on an EV startup’s recovery strategies
• The importance of comprehensive training and cross-functional collaboration in the automotive industry
• Understanding the enduring significance of EDI in the automotive supply chain
• Identifying and reinforcing the key success factors that contribute to success in the automotive supply chain

Featured on this episode: 

Name: Terry Onica

Title: Director, Automotive at QAD

About: For two decades, Terry has been the automotive vertical director of this provider of manufacturing Enterprise Resource Planning software and supply chain solutions. Her career began in supply chain in the late 1980s when she led a team to implement Electronic Data Interchange for all the Ford assembly and component plants.

Connect: LinkedIn

Name: Jan Griffiths

Title: President and Founder, Gravitas Detroit 

About: Jan is the architect of cultural change in the automotive industry. As the President and founder of Gravitas Detroit, Jan brings a wealth of expertise and a passion for transforming company cultures. Additionally, she hosts the Automotive Leaders Podcast, where she shares insightful conversations with industry visionaries. Jan is also the author of AutoCulture 2.0, a groundbreaking book that challenges the traditional leadership model prevalent in the automotive world. 

Connect: LinkedIn

Mentioned in this episode:

• Global MMOG/LE Standards for Automotive Suppliers
• Driving Supply Chain Efficiency: TS Tech's MMOG/LE Journey
• The Route to Success: Understanding Transportation Dynamics in Supply Chain Management
• The crucial role of risk management in future supply chains
• White Paper for Leveraging Risk Management in Automotive
• Volta Truck's Electrifying Comeback to EV Business
• Revving Up the Supply Chain: Exploring the Future of Automotive EDI with Fred Coe
• The Future of Supply Chain: Technology, Digitalization, and Industry Standards
• Transforming the Auto Supply Chain Workplace Through Engagement, Communication, and Gamification 
• QAD Red Zone – A Connected Workforce System
• Why Automating your QMS improves your Supply Chain Performance
• IATF 16949
• 24 Essential Supply Chain Processes
• AutoCulture 2.0: Leading with Gravitas

Episode Highlights:

[02:59] TS Tech's MMOG/LE Journey: TS Tech's implementation of the MMOG/LE standard showcased the power of consensus and thorough education. Their approach ensured everyone, from plant managers to all departments, understood the mission, significantly impacting their success.

[08:01] Only the Paranoid Survives: Christopher Mattingly, a former VP at Stellantis, stresses the importance of risk management, emphasizing that disruptions are inevitable and preparation is crucial. He advocates for proactive contingency planning, asserting that "only the paranoid survive."

[11:44] Volta Truck's Comeback: Shiv Tailor from Volta Truck talks about the company's remarkable comeback from the brink of failure. Their successful rebound is attributed to practical training and level-setting across their diverse team, ensuring everyone understood key supply chain and quality processes.

[14:33] The Future of Automotive EDI: Fred Coe's discussion on EDI highlights its enduring significance, likening it to electricity—essential and often taken for granted. Despite being around for decades, EDI remains crucial, with potential new developments like APIs being explored to enhance its functionality.

[16:46] Stepping into the Red Zone: Implementing the...

At the heart of The Prophets’ vision are “The 24 Essential Supply Chain Processes.” What are they? Find out, and see the future yourself. Click here

In this episode of the Auto Supply Chain Prophets podcast, hosts Terry Onica and Jan Griffiths interview Christopher Mattingly, a seasoned veteran of over 40 years in the automotive industry. Being a retired Vice President of Transportation at Stellantis, Christoper is here to talk about the dynamics of the transportation aspect of automotive supply chain management.

Christopher begins by sharing an important milestone in his professional journey: his time as a production supervisor at the Warren Truck Assembly Plant. He reflects on how industry leader Dick Dauch helped shape his career and inspired him to climb the corporate ladder.

With experience in nearly every aspect of the supply chain, Christopher shares his thoughts on where the automotive supply chain should focus today: end-to-end visibility and schedule stability. He outlines his vision of a perfect supply chain and discusses potential solutions that would make the supply chain world a lot easier to deal with.

"There's no better way than communication," says Christopher. To answer Terry's question on enabling better collaboration, Christopher suggests that no department should be left to solve its problems; instead, we should all work together and strive to advance the company's overall objectives.

Regarding his transportation role, Christopher discusses the number one issue the transportation world faces today: capacity and the need to develop cost-effective solutions. He shares some of the disruptions he encountered in his career and the solutions they have applied, providing valuable insights into navigating the transportation aspect of supply chain management.

In light of the massive transformation in the automotive industry, Christopher said that leaders must embrace the mindset of contingency planning, echoing the phrase, "Only the paranoid survive." He stresses that while it's challenging and requires discipline and collaboration, investing in robust contingency plans is crucial for leaders to navigate inevitable issues in the industry's transformation.

Themes discussed in this episode:

• Lessons learned from decades of experience in automotive supply chain management
• The current challenges faced by automotive supply chains today
• The importance of end-to-end visibility and schedule stability in supply chain operations
• Challenges in the transportation world relating to capacity
• Technology's impact on supply chain management, particularly in tracking and alarm systems
• Improving communication and collaboration across departments to address issues effectively
• The need to invest in robust contingency plans to help leaders anticipate and mitigate disruptions

Featured on this episode: 

Name: Christopher Mattingly

Title: Retired Vice President of Transportation at Stellantis North America

About: Christopher Mattingly is a seasoned automotive industry expert with over 40 years of experience. A Wayne State grad, he started as a production supervisor at the Warren Truck Assembly Plant in the 1980s and retired as Vice President of Transportation at Stellantis. With a diverse background in Supply Chain Management, Christopher excels in Logistics, Procurement, Supplier Quality, and more. Known for his dedication, leadership, and problem-solving skills, he has consistently driven operational improvements and new product launches. Passionate about mentoring and motivating his teams, Christopher is respected across all levels of the industry.

Connect: LinkedIn

Mentioned in this episode:

• WSU’s Global Supply Chain Management Advisory Board
• What is 3PL?

Episode Highlights:

[03:25] Young Christopher’s Dream: Christopher reflects on his early career at Warren Assembly, admitting he had no clue about transportation back then. Inspired by Dick Dauch, a revered leader who became a plant manager at 30, young Christopher aimed for the same.

[05:19] The Main Focus: Diving into the world of supply chains, Christopher identifies two key areas we should focus on: achieving end-to-end visibility and maintaining stable production schedules.

[09:54] Collaboration 101: "There's no better way than communication," Christopher said. To foster collaboration, he said we should align objectives and have inclusive meetings where all departments work together to tackle challenges and deliver effective solutions that advance the company's overall goals.

[13:55] The Need for Capacity: Christopher tackles the biggest challenge transportation faces today—capacity, from ports to trucking—and the need for cost-effective solutions. He shares his experiences managing these challenges and ensuring efficient supply chain operations in the face of disruptions.

[21:45] “Firefighter” Mentality: Terry and Christopher discuss the importance of moving from a reactive "firefighting" mentality in supply chain management to a proactive approach. They stress the need to learn from past crises to create strong contingency plans and effectively use technology to ensure smoother operations and readiness for unexpected disruptions.

[25:46] Only the Paranoid Survives: Christopher emphasized the importance of contingency planning as the industry embraces transformation. Drawing from his past experiences in leadership, he encourages leaders to take a "paranoid" approach—being ready for and preventing disruptions through planning and tech integration to keep operations running smoothly and production on track.

Top Quotes:

[06:31] Christopher: “My vision has always been to have that end-to-end visibility of those parts. And it's not an easy thing to do. When you think about it, in today's world, we measure it and monitor it with websites with EDI, but it's all individual transactions from the different providers that you have. In the world that I see someday in the future, we're going to be able to grab that digital data from every one of these systems, standardize that data, and then compare and forecast when those arrivals are going to be and compare that to what the build plan is at our OEM plants. And then we'll know what's in trouble.”

[09:54] Christopher: “The key for any kind of barrier busting is getting aligned on what each individual goal is in the different departments and looking for those areas where you can collaborate. Where you can work with each other for both of you to be able to meet your particular objectives.”

[10:39] Christopher: “Just because it's a supplier quality issue doesn't mean it's just supplier quality's responsibility to help resolve that. Engineering needs to have their input in terms of what they need to do. The supply chain needs to be considered because maybe we have to change schedules in order to make that happen. So, how do you support making that happen? Manufacturing will have to implement or execute those things in the specific shop floor environments.  So, getting aligned on what the particular objective is and figuring out how we can all collaborate to make that happen, I think, is important.”

[12:39] Jan: “When people retreat back into those silos and protect their turf, that's when the problem starts. When you have leaders at the top that start to behave that way. Often, they don't realize that emulates all the way and disseminates all the way through the organization. And then people start behaving that way. So, it starts right at the top. When leaders at the top can say, yes, it doesn't matter whose issue it is, we're all in to solve this together as a team, as a business. That's when we can really move a culture forward.”

[25:59] Christopher: “Only the paranoid survives. And it gets to that contingency planning type attitude when it comes to the supply chain. There are going to be problems. Things are going to go wrong. There are going to be failure modes. And so, what? We get paid to figure out how are we going to mitigate and minimize the impact of that particular issue. That's our responsibility, as leaders, to be able to do that contingency planning to make it happen. It's almost like you want to look at your supply chain as it's mapped out, and you would say to yourself, ‘What happens if I fail here? What's going to happen?’”

At the heart of The Prophets’ vision are “The 24 Essential Supply Chain Processes.” What are they? Find out, and see the future yourself. Click here

In this episode of the Auto Supply Chain Prophets Podcast, hosts Terry Onica and Jan Griffiths dive into the complexities of global trade, compliance, and logistics with their guest, Jeff Peterson, Director of Global Trade and Logistics at DRiV, a Tenneco company. 

Jeff digs into the challenges facing the trade compliance industry today. He highlights the ocean shipping container shortage, which has led to increased costs and delays. He also addresses other disruptions, such as port backups and global trade policies, which compound the complexities faced by professionals in the field. ​

According to Jeff, staying informed through reliable 3PLs and brokers and leveraging technology and software applications is crucial in dealing with these issues.

Jeff Peterson explains that they handle customs audits by focusing on security and compliance. They take a proactive "shift left" approach, doing necessary work upfront to avoid audits. Their comprehensive strategy helps mitigate risks to both business and national security.

Talking about the challenges at the US-Mexico border, Jeff explains that security is the main focus. They use the CTPAT and FAST programs to facilitate smoother border crossings, similar to a TSA pre-check for cargo. These security measures help ensure efficient movement across the border.

Jeff's passion for people development shines through as he discusses his strategies for talent growth. He believes in creating comprehensive programs that offer career paths, hands-on experiences, and continuous learning opportunities. 

When it comes to future-proofing the industry, Jeff advises Tier One and Tier Two leaders to focus on the people aspect of the business first, have an action plan, maintain pristine data, and be ready to pivot as necessary. He believes that while technology is vital, it's the dedication and expertise of individuals that truly drive success.

Themes discussed in this episode:

• The ongoing ocean shipping container shortage, predicting higher costs and delays due to global disruptions
• The need for staying updated through reliable 3PLs and brokers to manage unexpected global trade issues
• The use of predictive logistics software to manage supply chain risks and ensure timely deliveries
• Placing customs and compliance within the supply chain rather than in finance or legal departments for better integration
• The importance of breaking down organizational silos to ensure smooth operations and proactive risk management
• How trade wars and the COVID-19 pandemic have brought supply chain management into the public eye
• Managing security and compliance at the US-Mexico border through programs like CTPAT and FAST
• The role of technology and software in maintaining compliance and streamlining logistics processes

Featured on this episode: 

Name: Jeffrey Peterson

Title: Director, Global Trade and Logistics CI, DRiV Inc. – a Tenneco company.

About: Jeff Peterson is a seasoned professional specializing in global trade and logistics. Currently serving as Director of Global Trade and Logistics CI at Tenneco, Jeff has extensive experience managing various functions, including Client Management, Reconciliation, Restricted Party Screening, and Export Operations, during his tenure at Livingston International. He has also led the Graduate Rotation and Development Program, aimed at cultivating entry-level talent for accelerated career growth. Jeff's expertise spans emergency management, cross-border improvement projects, and implementing supply chain processes to meet regulatory requirements. His leadership and contributions are instrumental in driving operational excellence and client satisfaction in international trade environments.

Connect: LinkedIn

Mentioned in this episode:

• Episode with TS Tech: Driving Supply Chain Efficiency: TS Tech's MMOG/LE Journey
• (MMOG/LE) Materials Management Operations Guideline/Logistics Evaluation
• What is 3PL?
• CTPAT
• Free and Secure Trade (FAST) program
• Authorized Economic Operator (OEA)

Episode Highlights:

[04:48] Global Container Shortage: Regarding current customs and trade challenges, Jeff highlights the shortage of ocean shipping containers. With high demand and low capacity, he anticipates escalating costs and delays globally.

[06:12] Staying Ahead of Global Events: Jeff shares how to stay on top of the issues they currently face in global trade, compliance, and logistics. He explains the importance of utilizing information from trusted partners and the use of technology.

[09:46] Always Shift Left: Terry explores the risks of customs audits with Jeff, who advocates for proactive measures. Jeff stresses the importance of "shifting left" or doing necessary work upfront to avoid audits.

[15:02] The US-Mexico Border: Outlining the challenges at the US-Mexico border, Jeff talks about their focus on security and their use of programs to expedite cross-border movements. 

[19:05] People and Talent Development: Discussing his commitment to talent development, Jeff believes in structured programs and wide-ranging experiences to cultivate skills and perspectives essential for success in customs and trade.

[23:19] Advice for Supply Chain Leaders: Jeff advises leaders to focus on the people aspect of the business first, have an action plan, maintain pristine data, and be ready to pivot as necessary.

Top Quotes:

[04:54] Jeff: “I think the biggest thing that I'm dealing with right now, and I think it's unfortunately going to get worse, it's the ocean shipping container shortage. We're facing high demands and low capacity, and that's starting to come down the pipeline right now. So, it's not necessarily a trade compliance issue. It's a global trade impact, and it's going to get progressively worse. So, if you're talking about one thing that I'm dealing with right now, that's it. We're going to expect higher container costs. We're going to expect delays at the moment.”

[07:47] Jeff: “There's a lot of software opportunities out there that you can rely on, so you could put your supply chain in a software application that'll analyze risk for you. So, we rely heavily on that. That's beyond basic restricted party screening, where you're actually looking at your suppliers for a risk base, or you're actually looking at your supply chain environment. So, we have labor disputes, you have natural disasters, you have things like that, and they can actually put your supply chain into software and detect where risks might be to kind of put you into that challenge at hand. So, that would be probably one of the other areas that I would concentrate on.”

[10:30] Jeff: “With audits and risks, always shift left. So, that means you're doing the work upfront. You're doing the work while it's happening, not in an audit. So, we don't wait for audits. We don't want to prepare for an audit. We want to avoid an audit. And by doing so, it's developing that risk analysis, doing our own internal audit. So, if a governing agency came to you and presented you, we can say, 'Okay, here's our audit results. We've done most of the work for you. Show us where you think we've done right or where you think there's holes in it, and if you ask us to validate it, we have a proper audit trail to do it.'”

[12:31] Jeff: “I think in the supply chain, you have that visibility, that end-to-end on the inbound from the suppliers, on the outbound to the customers, and everything in between. That connection with purchasing, corrective actions on suppliers that are challenged, and getting data on the back end in countries that have indirect tax implications: Europe and Mexico. A lot of times, you'll see more of an argument to go that direction, but generally, that's what I would say is the

At the heart of The Prophets’ vision are “The 24 Essential Supply Chain Processes.” What are they? Find out, and see the future yourself. Click here

In this episode of the Auto Supply Chain Prophets podcast, co-hosts Terry Onica and Jan Griffiths welcome Steve Povenz, a recognized leader in automotive quality, to discuss the crucial integration of quality and supply chain functions.

Steve believes quality and supply chain are inseparable and fundamental to an organization's success. He points out that many organizations fail because these functions operate in silos, leading to inefficiencies and missed opportunities for improvement. 

He stresses that quality should be proactive and collaborative, engaging with other departments to understand and mitigate issues before they arise.

Steve highlights the importance of regular cross-functional reviews and the use of technology to bridge gaps, streamline processes, and enhance data accuracy. He praises Terry and Cathy Fisher's 24 Essential Supply Chain Processes as a comprehensive roadmap for improving these integrations.

Jan and Steve discuss the impact of leadership and culture in fostering collaboration between quality and supply chains. Steve says effective leadership and shared goals lead to successful outcomes regardless of organizational structure. 

They touch upon the need for evolving standards like IATF 16949 to keep pace with industry changes, particularly the shift from internal combustion engines to electric vehicles. 

Steve encourages quality professionals to engage with AIAG, participate in summits, and provide feedback to help shape the future of automotive quality standards.

The episode concludes with Steve's practical advice for leaders in the automotive supply chain: engage with quality counterparts, involve them in daily operations, and leverage their expertise to solve problems collaboratively. 

Themes discussed in this episode:

• The importance of integrating quality and supply chain functions within organizations
• The issue of quality and supply chain functions operating in silos and the negative impact of this separation 
• Leadership's role in fostering collaboration between quality and supply chain functions 
• How technology can automate processes, enhance data collection, and improve overall efficiency within quality and supply chain operations
• The use of performance scorecards, such as those mandated by IATF 16949, to measure and manage quality and delivery performance within the supply chain
• The potential benefits of leveraging frameworks like the 24 Essential Supply Chain Processes to align quality and supply chain operations
• Why quality and supply chain functions need to adapt to rapid changes in the automotive industry, particularly with the shift from ICE to BEV
• How to achieve continuous improvement through the use of technology, better integration of functions, and proactive identification and resolution of pain points within the supply chain

Featured on this episode: 

Name: Steve Povenz

Title: Visionary Global Quality Leader, Director of Quality at Shape Corp.

About: Steve is a visionary global quality leader with extensive expertise in Quality Management Systems (QMS) and project management. As the Director of Quality at Shape Corp. for 18 years, he has driven significant improvements in customer satisfaction, cost reduction, and quality standards. Steve excels in fostering organizational growth, creating an empowered employee experience, and enhancing stakeholder engagement. His multicultural corporate background highlights his proficiency in quality leadership and relationship management. Additionally, Steve actively contributes to industry groups, including the AIAG and Eastern Michigan University, and serves on Nissan Motor Corporation's Supplier Quality Council.

Connect: LinkedIn

Mentioned in this episode:

• IATF 16949 - 2016
• Episode with PennEngineering: Why Automating your QMS improves your Supply Chain Performance
• The 24 Essential Supply Chain Processes
• PDCA Cycle
• (MMOG/LE) Materials Management Operations Guideline/Logistics Evaluation
• (FMEA) Failure Mode & Effects Analysis
• Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP)
• 2024 Quality Summit

Episode Highlights:

[03:11] Quality and supply chain: Both quality and supply chain are crucial, and recognizing their interdependence is critical to organizational success.

[03:50] Addressing silos: Steve highlights the need for quality functions to proactively collaborate and take accountability to build a resilient supply chain.

[07:08] 24 Essential Processes: Steve praises the 24 Essential Supply Chain Processes as an excellent roadmap for integrating quality and supply chain functions to enhance overall effectiveness.

[12:44] Leadership and Collaboration: Effective collaboration and shared goals between quality and supply chain leaders are crucial to achieving organizational success and leveraging technology effectively.

[19:03] Adapting to EV Risks: As the industry shifts to electric vehicles, IATF 16949 processes must strengthen risk management and agility to keep pace with rapid technological changes.

[20:34] Volunteering at AIAG: Steve encourages professionals to get involved with AIAG, highlighting the benefits of networking and contributing to industry best practices through volunteering and providing feedback.

[23:38] Invite them over: Steve offers practical advice for leaders in the automotive supply chain on improving collaboration with their quality counterparts.

Top Quotes:

[03:15] Steve: “Terry, when we first met, we had the conversation, and I had joked with you a little bit, and I said, 'Quality, Terry, is everything.' But you could also turn around and say to me, 'Oh, Steve, supply chain is everything,' and the truth is, we would both be right. There is no quality without a supply chain, and it's important that we recognize that. In fact, we could even say that it starts with the supply chain. No matter where you're at, you're dependent upon your supply chain for your performance as an organization.”

[08:05] Steve: “Utilizing the 24 Essential Processes of Supply Chain really sets you up for planning, execution, monitoring, and corrective action; that whole PDCA cycle that needs to take place within the supply chain. If the quality professional is not engaged with those and doesn't understand what's being done upstream, that's going to make their job a lot more difficult in manufacturing.”

[10:31] Steve: “All functions throughout the organization need to be committed to that common goal of safely delivering a quality product to our customer on time, every time, at the lowest possible cost,  and we need to continue to work to drive that cost down, and quite often, the use of technology can help us. Whether it's more accurate ordering, faster responses throughout the supply chain, and that connection to our operations, leveraging technology to do that is really vital.”

[14:38] Steve: “No matter where supplier quality resides, if it's in the supply chain or it's reporting up to the quality function, if we're siloed, one silo is going to be disappointed and feel like they're not being served.  It's vitally important for quality function leadership along with the supply chain leadership to be synced up, to be seeing things the same way, to have that common goal, and how we're going to get there.”

[19:47] Steve: “New products and new processes mean risk. Couple that with our speed to market because we're going at a breakneck speed now more than ever, and it's going to continue to get more. We were taking on this increased risk when we had less time to mitigate that risk. So, I think, while the last revision of the IATF 16949 really was focused on risk, I think that we need to...

At the heart of The Prophets’ vision are “The 24 Essential Supply Chain Processes.” What are they? Find out, and see the future yourself. Click here

In this episode of the Auto Supply Chain Prophets podcast, hosts Terry Onica and Jan Griffiths switch things up as Terry interviews Jan about her new book, AutoCulture 2.0. The conversation starts with Jan sharing the intense yet fulfilling journey of launching her book, which has already reached number one in Amazon's leadership category.

Jan explains that her book is designed to drive a much-needed cultural shift in the auto industry. She stresses that while the industry is buzzing with technological transformations like EV adoption and smart cities, the focus must also be on evolving leadership and culture to match this rapid change. 

Terry and Jan delve into the importance of effective communication and stakeholder buy-in for successful change initiatives. They highlight how a collaborative approach, rather than a command-and-control style, can drive better results and innovation within the supply chain.

The discussion also touches on personal stories that shaped their leadership styles. Jan shares how her father's farming background and pub negotiations subtly taught her invaluable leadership and negotiation skills. Terry recalls the lessons her father imparted, emphasizing the profound impact fathers can have on their daughters' careers.

The episode wraps up with Jan advising listeners to reflect on their own leadership identity and values. She encourages leaders to be clear and intentional about who they are, which will, in turn, help inspire and guide their teams more effectively.

Themes discussed in this episode:

• The crucial role of education in preparing students for the automotive industry
• Utilizing technology such as ERP systems and digital tools for effective supply chain management
• The necessity of continuous improvement and optimization in supply chain processes
• The need for new leadership models and workplace culture to handle the automotive industry's rapid transformation
• How many change initiatives fail due to poor leadership and lack of stakeholder buy-in
• The importance of collaboration and communication within the supply chain
• The effectiveness and drawbacks of the traditional command-and-control leadership style
• Family influence on personal and professional development
• Why self-awareness is important for effective leadership

Featured on this episode: 

Name: Jan Griffiths

Title: President and Founder, Gravitas Detroit 

About: Jan is the architect of cultural change in the automotive industry. As the President & Founder of Gravitas Detroit, Jan brings a wealth of expertise and a passion for transforming company cultures. Additionally, she is the host of the Automotive Leaders Podcast, where she shares insightful conversations with industry visionaries. Jan is also the author of AutoCulture 2.0, a groundbreaking book that challenges the traditional leadership model prevalent in the automotive world. With her extensive experience and commitment to fostering positive change, Jan is at the forefront of revolutionizing the automotive landscape.

Connect: LinkedIn

Mentioned in this episode:

• AutoCulture 2.0: Leading with Gravitas 
• WSU’s Global Supply Chain Management Advisory Board
• Meet Stefan Krause, A driving force in the world of EVs
• Revving Up the Supply Chain: Exploring the Future of Automotive EDI with Fred Coe
• Driving Supply Chain Efficiency: TS Tech's MMOG/LE Journey
• Meet Doug Conant, former CEO of Campbell Soup Company
• Global MMOG/LE Standards for Automotive Suppliers
• Plante Moran’s Working Relations Index®

Episode Highlights:

[04:15] Book Overview: Jan dives into the book, emphasizing how important it is to match the culture of the automotive industry with its technological advancements. 

[05:35] Technology and Culture: Jan discusses the critical link between technology adoption and organizational culture, highlighting how effective leadership and cultural alignment can mitigate the high failure rate of technology initiatives.

[08:57] Command and Control: Discussing common pitfalls, Jan explains why change initiatives often fail due to ineffective leadership and insufficient stakeholder engagement, highlighting the importance of buy-in and communication.

[13:26] Make Them Understand: OEM mandates like MMOG/LE and EDI add savings at all levels; still, resistance often comes from a lack of understanding. Jan emphasizes that effective leadership means setting strategy and inspiring teams rather than micromanaging.

[18:13] The Toyota Way: Highlighting Toyota's coaching mindset, they discuss the importance 

of nurturing supplier relationships and working collaboratively to achieve the best business outcomes rather than focusing solely on penalties and blame.

[20:31] Parental Influence: Reflecting on childhood experiences, Jan and Terry share insights into the profound impact of parental guidance and influence on their personal and professional development.

[23:18] Jan's Advice: Terry asks Jan for one actionable takeaway for listeners. Jan's advice: "Ask yourself, who are you as a leader?"

Top Quotes:

[03:28] Jan: “What really matters, and the reason I wrote the book, is to impact an entire industry. So, the question now is not how many books are we selling. It is what people are doing with these books. It's written in a way so that leaders in the auto industry can use it as a tool to open up dialogue about culture and about leadership. So, that's what I want to see, Terry. The real impact that we're going to feel in the industry.”

[04:26] Jan: “We know the automotive industry right now is going through a massive transformation: EV adoption, we talk about batteries, we talk about technology, we talk about autonomous driving, smart cities, and on and on. We talk about this all day long, but what we're not talking about is the people and the culture required to go along with this change. Think about it this way. You wouldn't try to run a 4k video on a Windows 95 operating system. So, what makes you think that we can run this industry with the massive transformation that's going through right now, all the technology, the speed and agility that's required, the innovation, and on and on?”

[22:55] Terry: “One of the things I want to tell the listeners today, especially the men out there, is don't underestimate the impact that you can make on your daughters. You can teach them to be very successful women, and it's just amazing what you can do in their life.”

[23:31] Jan: “Ask yourself this question: who are you as a leader? So often, Terry, we can't answer that question, and if you don't know who you are as a leader, how do you expect other people to support you and follow you? You've got to know who you are as a leader. What do you stand for? What are your values? What is the culture that you want with your team and in your company? Answer that question.”

At the heart of The Prophets’ vision are “The 24 Essential Supply Chain Processes.” What are they? Find out, and see the future yourself. Click here

In the latest episode of the Auto Supply Chain Profits podcast, hosts Terry Onica and Jan Griffiths interview Carrie Uhl, who is the Chief Procurement Officer at Danaher Corporation. Carrie shares her extensive knowledge and experience in the automotive and healthcare industries, helping to bridge the gap between these two seemingly different sectors.

Carrie's journey from Magna to GE Healthcare and now Danaher shows how versatile supply chain expertise can be. Despite the differences in products, the core challenges remain consistent—such as security of supply, cost reduction, talent acquisition, and digitalization.

Technology plays a significant role in both industries. Carrie talks about how it enables communication and process adoption and facilitates lean manufacturing. She emphasizes the importance of supply chain technology for enhanced visibility and effective risk management strategies.

Carrie highlights the collaboration between the automotive and healthcare industries during the COVID-19 pandemic in the rapid production of ventilators. Showcasing how different sectors can come together to support each other in times of crisis.

The episode covers topics such as supply chain resiliency, supplier relationship management, and early supplier involvement in product development. It addresses the need for the automotive industry to recognize suppliers as essential partners rather than adversaries.

In the end, Carrie calls upon automotive leaders to prioritize supplier segmentation and proactively engage with key suppliers to leverage their expertise.

Themes discussed in this episode:

• The need for professionals to adapt to industry transitions and leverage transferable skills
• Exploring the differences and similarities between the automotive and healthcare industries
• The importance of leveraging technology, such as ERP systems and digital tools, in supply chain management
• Strategies for enhancing supply chain resilience and effectively managing risks
• The value of proactive engagement with suppliers and early involvement in product development processes
• Why continuous improvement and optimization are essential for supply chain processes
• Moving away from treating suppliers as adversaries to building partnerships focused on mutual success

Featured on this episode: 

Name: Carrie Uhl

Title: Chief Procurement Officer at Danaher Corporation

About: Carrie is the Chief Procurement Officer at Danaher Corporation, where she spearheads initiatives to enhance quality, cost efficiency, and supply continuity. With a background encompassing leadership roles at GE Healthcare and Magna International, Carrie brings a wealth of experience in procurement and supply chain management to her current position. Recognized for her contributions to the automotive industry, she was named one of the 100 Leading Women by Automotive News and featured in Procurement Magazine's Top 100 CPO list.

Connect: LinkedIn

Mentioned in this episode:

• QAD Redzone Connected Workforce
• WSU’s Global Supply Chain Management Advisory Board
• AutoCulture 2.0: Leading with Gravitas (Kindle Edition)
• Meet Carrie Uhl, Chief Procurement Officer for GE Healthcare
• The Toyota Way
• Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP)
• New Product Introduction (NPI) Process
• Delivering on the Promise of Delivery Part 3: The Key to Sustainability and Profitability
• Plante Moran’s Working Relations Index®
• First, Break All the Rules: What the World's Greatest Managers Do Differently

Episode Highlights:

[03:32] The Transition: Carrie's journey transitioning from automotive to healthcare, shedding light on the similarities and differences between the two industries.

[04:59] Tech in Focus: Exploring the role of technology in the health and automotive sectors, Carrie discusses how it varies between the two industries.

[08:57] Supply Chain Resiliency: Strategies for building resilient supply chains and adapting to unexpected disruptions.

[10:46] Program Launch: Jan and Carrie explore program launch processes and how automotive processes translate into the healthcare sector.

[12:11] Starting Early: Why it is important to involve suppliers early in the product development process. 

[16:16] Unlearning Old Habits: Reflecting on her experience, Carrie shares valuable perspectives on what the automotive industry needs to unlearn. 

[17:52] Carrie's Impact: How Carrie's automotive background benefits her current role in the healthcare industry.

[18:22] Actionable Advice: Carrie advises automotive leaders to take proactive steps amidst industry transformation.

Top Quotes:

[07:43] Carrie: “One of the things that is super important now and always is visibility into your supply chain. For example, as of this recording, there was an earthquake last night in Taiwan. And when I woke up to that news, the first thing I wanted to know at the touch of a button was how might my supply chain be affected. So, there's been a lot of progress over the last decade in maturing kind of those third-party feeds for risk. Maybe it could be financial risk feeds, or it might be geographical events. Those things are really helpful to companies to be able to connect them to your own internal technology.”

[09:15] Carrie: “You can't de-risk everything. It's just not possible. So, you've got to define what's most important as your place to start. Have a really good method for quantifying revenue impact, for example. If you don't get certain components, you need to know what's common across platforms. So, you've probably heard the term the industry uses about the golden screw, knowing what that one part is that is on everything you make, and it might be low revenue, but it's very high impact. So, I think you've really got to be intentional about scoping.”

[12:17] Carrie: “Whether it's a new product introduction or its end of life, you really need to be engaged with your most critical suppliers, especially if you're doing platforming because it's a risk of designing something that's going to be a very big and expensive problem later. If you don't understand their technology roadmaps, you choose something that's going to be obsolete. You put it on all of your products, or you pick a material on a sustainability watch list that can be a problem later.”

[16:56] Carrie: “We've got to stop treating our suppliers like they're adversaries. Nobody wins here in that model for very long.”

[19:47] Carrie: “Your best suppliers are almost always underutilized in terms of their expertise and their ideas. So, I would say for my call to action, spend the time with them proactively at their sites, at your sites, not on a team's call. Going to Gemba really matters with the right suppliers.”

At the heart of The Prophets’ vision are “The 24 Essential Supply Chain Processes.” What are they? Find out, and see the future yourself. Click here

In this episode of the Auto Supply Chain Prophets podcast, hosts Terry Onica and Jan Griffiths are joined by Cathy Fisher and Alexis Scipio to talk about their new eBook called "Delivering on the Promise of Delivering: Automotive Sustainability and Profitability." 

Discover why ESG is becoming increasingly important in the automotive industry and why you should care. Alexis explains how sustainability can lead to profitability and what benefits companies get from having solid sustainability strategies. 

We'll explore how ESG is now part of industry standards like MMOG/LE and quality management systems. Organizations must now consider their environmental impact and align their operations with sustainability objectives, a shift that Terry, Cathy, and Alexis aim to support through their upcoming eBook.

Terry talks about the crucial role of technology in supporting ESG initiatives, citing examples such as supplier relationship management tools and ERP systems. Cathy explains how ESG relates to the 24 Essential Supply Chain Processes, which could help organizations integrate ESG into their operations.

Their combined expertise in ESG, quality management systems, and supply chain management led to an eBook that simplifies complicated regulations into a digestible format. It's a lifesaver for leaders industry leaders who are overwhelmed by the task of navigating numerous regulations.

The episode concludes with advice encouraging listeners to embrace ESG proactively. It reminds us that ESG is not a passing trend but a fundamental aspect of automotive operations that requires immediate attention and action.

Themes discussed in this episode:

• How supply chain, quality, and ESG intersect in the automotive industry
• ESG’s growing importance in the automotive industry
• How sustainability can lead to profitability
• The relationship between ESG and industry standards such as MMOG/LE
• Why we should focus on implementing ESG practices
• The role of technology in supporting ESG initiatives
• The overwhelming complexity of ESG requirements

Featured on this episode: 

Name: Alexis Scipio

Title: Founder, The Thrive Point

About: Alexis Scipio is a seasoned ESG aficionado and supply chain professional with over 15 years of experience in the automotive industry. She’s the Founder of The Thrive Point LLC. and a certified diversity specialist who passionately integrates Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles into business processes.

Connect: LinkedIn

Name: Cathy Fisher

Title: Founder and President, Quistem

About: As Quistem's driving force, Cathy helps its clients, particularly automotive manufacturers, eliminate customer complaints and increase their profits. She has worked in the automotive supply chain since the 1980s when she started her career with General Motors.

Connect: LinkedIn

Mentioned in this episode:

• Leveraging Risk Management Throughout the Automotive Supply Chain
• Operational Restart Readiness Checklist
• The 24 Essential Supply Chain Processes
• ISO Climate Change Amendments
• Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA)
• What is New in MMOG/LE Version 6?
• Past episode with Alexis Scipio: ESG in the Automotive Industry: Embracing Sustainability for Global Supply Chains
• Register today for your 1:1 business assessment with automotive supply chain experts Terry Onica and Cathy Fisher.
• Grammer and AVL
• New eBook! Delivering on the Promise of Delivery: Automotive Sustainability and Profitability

Episode Highlights:

[01:40] Teamwork: Learn about Cathy, Alexis, and Terry's individual contributions to the eBook's creation.

[03:27] Why It Matters: Discover the importance of ESG and why it's crucial for listeners to take it seriously.

[04:57] Adding ESG: Find out why the third eBook is about ESG this time, expanding upon previous topics of quality and supply chain.

[06:28] ESG in Industry Standards: Explore the connection between ESG and MMOG/LE industry requirements.

[07:30] Climate Change Amendment: Learn about the significant amendment ISO made to management system standards regarding ESG.

[10:23] Complexity of ESG: Gain insight into the vast number and complexity of ESG requirements and regulations.

[13:51] Role of Technology: Learn how technology plays a crucial role in supporting ESG initiatives.

[15:33] ESG to Supply Chain Processes: Discover how ESG relates to the 24 Essential Supply Chain Processes.

[17:13] Special Offer: Terry is offering a complimentary one-hour discussion on ESG implementation.

[18:09] Release Date: Find out when the eBook will be available for download.

[18:33] Embracing ESG: Receive advice from Cathy, Alexis, and Terry on what actions listeners can take right now to embrace ESG.

Top Quotes:

[05:37] Cathy: “The key topic on everybody's minds and lips is ESG, especially in the past 12 months, that has really been a main focus and not just from a supply chain standpoint. We're actually seeing ESG as a topic across the organization and even at an operational level as well. So, we realized that the direction we needed to take the discussion in this third eBook is really supporting this idea of how you bring ESG  into your organization from an operational level, as well as, integrating it into your supply chain activities.”

[09:57] Terry: “That’s why the three of us teamed up, and said, 'We need to be able to help them,' because we know off the bat, this is not going to be something that's inherent to them. And we're really excited because upon doing research, I think this is the only  eBook or information out there on how to help the plant to look at ESG within their facilities and to educate IT, supply chain, and quality on how to meet these ESG requirements.”

[18:47] Alexis: “One thing manufacturers can do right now is just to see themselves in ESG…I think that there's very likely things that tier ones, tier twos, OEMs are already doing that are ESG relevant, especially if you're TS certified and if you're ISO certified, there are tasks that are already going on that could be captured in a sustainability strategy. So, I think it's important to take those wins and celebrate the ESG topics you're already delivering.”

[19:26] Cathy: “I think a great place to start, especially for larger organizations, is to look at what the corporate direction is regarding ESG. Understand how, as a corporation, your business is addressing sustainability and what resources may be available from the corporate standpoint that can then be deployed within the operations and relevant to the operational processes.”

[20:18] Jan: “ESG is not going away. It is here to stay. And the sooner you take action and start to understand what it's all about and what it means to you and your organization, the better.”