Industries
Industries Automotive Industry
Consulting in the Automotive Industry
The global value chains in the automotive industry are subject to extreme complexity and volatility. This applies in equal measure as we look back on 2010 and forward to 2011 and beyond. The acute causes are to be found in the increasing specialisation, individualisation, and electrification of the vehicles and on localisation efforts in the growth markets.
In 2011 growth will be maintained, the tension in the automotive industry will continue to present challenges. Following the structural adjustments in the crisis year of 2009, which took the form of personnel downsizing, capacity adjustments, and extreme inventory reductions right up to plant closures, the slimmed down supply chain experienced major difficulties trying to deal with the strains imposed on the automotive value chain in 2010.
On top of this, came natural disasters such as volcano eruptions, ash clouds, large-scale flooding and also major unrest and revolts – unforeseeable events will also put pressure on supply chains in the future by causing severe supply shortages and destabilising the entire value chain. Plastics, granulate, steel, and electronic components in particular became scarce. Internal task forces were charged solely with the tasks of procuring components and keeping production lines running at the OEM. A consequence of these shortages and the required allocation was frequently a forced (de-)escalation with the OEMs. Now, almost weekly, OEM programme planning is being stepped up – especially in view of the sustained surge in demand from China, India and Brazil, and the revitalised North American sales market.
For years, J&M has been optimising the entire automotive value chain with integrated management and IT consulting
J&M Management Consulting AG a leading consultancy company working with the automotive industry. Our consultants possess a high level of sector expertise, comprehensive know-how in methodology and a proven track record in innovative IT solutions. For companies in the automobile industry, our consultancy services focus on:
- Post Merger Integration
- Development of business, area and functional strategies
- LEAN SCM Business Transformation
- Operational Excellence
- LEAN Enterprise Transformation
- Global network optimisation
- Inventory optimisation/net working capital optimisation
- J&M business optimisation (short-term and long-term)
- Process harmonisation / Automotive Best Practice Sharing
- Setting up management and control systems
- Development of IT strategy
- SAP Best Practice Automotive Implementations & SAP System Consolidation (TCO optimisation)
The result: Fast and sustainable improvements to the business of our clients
Thanks to the support of J&M, our clients – which include automotive manufacturers (OEM), suppliers and after-market/logistical service providers – have achieved significant improvements, such as:
- Greater responsiveness and flexibility due to event-driven supply chain processes
- Establishment of an efficient, sales, inventory & operations planning organisation combined with stock reductions worldwide, improved delivery reliability, reduced additional transport costs, and an increase in overall productivity
- Consistent implementation of LEAN principles in direct and indirect areas, reduction of non-value-adding activities and orientation towards the value stream and benefits to the customer
- Improved supplier integration and rating
- Guarantee product quality and traceability through the use of Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES)
- Alignment of system environments (processes, systems, organisation) by means of clear establishment and consistent gauging of the positive contribution
- Optimisation of IT system landscapes (processes, systems, organisation) with clear definition and assessment of the benefitsn
‘Due to very successful LEAN projects with emphasis on the areas of leveling/Heijunka planning and LEAN SCM, J&M in cooperation with the IFL has proven itself as an excellent consultancy partner for Audi. During the past two years, my team together with J&M was able to implement significant advancements with the aid of commonly developed concepts for all processes.’
Peter Stechel, Press Works Manager Neckarsulm, Audi AG
‘This jointly developed solution will enable us to recognise tool bottlenecks earlier. Linking up to the operative data in this manner serves in securing the quality of statements that is required. J&M has proven itself as a professional and reliable partner during the project and played a decisive role in ensuring the success of the solution.’
Christian Ley, CIO, Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KG
‘The changeover wasn’t easy for the moulds area, but by working with our partner J&M, and applying our expertise in IT, processes and change management, we have come up with a solution that meets our everyday needs and which is popular with its users.’
Dr.-Ing. Dirk Petermann, Head of the Supply Chain & Logistics Competence Centre, Continental AG
