Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[REPORT: Toyota "war room" keeps tabs on possible supplier interruptions, stockpiled parts]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/27/report-toyota-reportedly-stockpiling-parts-war-room-keeps-tabs-on-po/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/27/report-toyota-reportedly-stockpiling-parts-war-room-keeps-tabs-on-po/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/27/report-toyota-reportedly-stockpiling-parts-war-room-keeps-tabs-on-po/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Fearing that a couple dozen of its U.S. suppliers could shut down production, Toyota has established a "war room" to monitor suppliers and has begun to warehouse assembly components. While the move marks a departure from the automaker's "just in time" production philosophy, a mantra that associates stockpiling with inefficiency and waste, a bankruptcy by one of the Detroit 3 could knock-out a key supplier crippling the Japanese automaker's North American factories. It is a widespread problem, as more than half of Toyota's 500 U.S. parts suppliers are also under contract to supply parts to General Motors.

The "war room" is located in Erlanger, Kentucky, at a major Toyota assembly complex. Reviews are conducted by senior executives each week to monitor the supply chain. It's the Tier 2 and Tier 3 suppliers that has the automaker most worried, as the small companies are less visible on the radar yet their closure could be just as catastrophic. To help stave off supply interruptions, Toyota has sent people to its troubled suppliers to assist their performance and help them cut costs so they will remain afloat.

[Source: Automotive News, subs. req'd | Image: WarGames, MGM/UA]

REPORT: Toyota "war room" keeps tabs on possible supplier interruptions, stockpiled parts originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Apr 2009 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ErlanderErlangerinventorystockpileSupply chainSupplyChainToyotaToyota just in timeToyotaJustInTimeWar RoomWarRoomMon, 27 Apr 2009 16:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1528785/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/04/27/report-toyota-reportedly-stockpiling-parts-war-room-keeps-tabs-on-po/1528785/article-detail.xml 1528785 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/04/wopr-supercomputer_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/04/wopr-supercomputer.jpg <![CDATA[Mulally has 'secret war room' within Ford]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/24/mulally-has-secret-war-room-within-ford/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/24/mulally-has-secret-war-room-within-ford/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/24/mulally-has-secret-war-room-within-ford/#commentsFiled under: , ,

If history serves them right, taking Alan Mulally's advice to "follow me" should be looked at as an opportunity by Ford brass, even when it involves a walk out of the boardroom and down a flight of steps in to his secret "war room".

Insiders are talking about the room, buried deep within the confines of Ford's world headquarters in Dearborn, that has walls covered with charts, graphs and lists of Ford products and markets that define the road to turn the troubled automaker around.

The recently-appointed CEO also points out that he feels some really good people will leave the company during these gut-wrenching times, but for those who stay the ride back up will be infinitely more exhilarating.

Mullaly may begin to lay out his plans as early as the North American International Auto Show in Detroit next month. Let's hope Ford is ready to battle its way back.

[Source: Automotive News; sub req'd]

Mulally has 'secret war room' within Ford originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 24 Dec 2006 17:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Alan MulallyAlanMulallyFord Motor CompanyuFordMotorCompanyuwar roomWarRoomSun, 24 Dec 2006 17:13:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/723878/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2006/12/24/mulally-has-secret-war-room-within-ford/723878/article-detail.xml 723878 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2006/12/mula-(450-x-315)_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2006/12/mula-(450-x-315).jpg <![CDATA[Ford setting up "War Room" to defend F-150]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/22/ford-setting-up-war-room-to-defend-f-150/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/22/ford-setting-up-war-room-to-defend-f-150/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/22/ford-setting-up-war-room-to-defend-f-150/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Bill Ford recently sat down for a four-hour marathon interview with Sarah Webster of the Detroit Free Press. In the heart-to-heart Ford reveals a couple of things about the company's turnaround plans that we found interesting.

First off, no decisions have been about where a new flexible manufacturing plant announced during the kick off of the Way Forward plan will be located, nor what product will be assembled there. Insiders point to the recent revelation of a renewed investment in its Mexico operations as a clue indicating the new Ford plant will be located below the border. Ford, however, is emphatic that no decision has been made.

Second, Ford says that a "war room" has been set up to defend the F-150 against the upcoming new pickups from Chevrolet and Toyota (sorry, Dodge). Despite the Blue Oval's renewed focus on cars and crossovers, the F-150 still pays the bills, so it seems that no expense will be spared keeping it the King of the Hill.

If you were in the F-150's "War Room" with Bill Ford, what ideas would you offer to keep the truck on top? Post your ideas in the comments, and maybe we can get Mr. Ford himself to respond.

[Source: Detroit Free Press]

Ford setting up "War Room" to defend F-150 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Jun 2006 11:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>F-150silveradotundrawar roomWarRoomThu, 22 Jun 2006 11:08:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/635760/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2006/06/22/ford-setting-up-war-room-to-defend-f-150/635760/article-detail.xml 635760 http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/06/06f-150_15_thumbnail.jpg http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/06/06f-150_15.jpg -1 2