Driving Supply Chain Efficiency: TS Tech's MMOG/LE Journey

Auto Supply Chain Prophets

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In this episode of the Auto Supply Chain Prophets Podcast, hosts Terry Onica and Jan Griffiths discuss the importance of improving supply chain efficiency in the auto industry. They are joined by Wendy Horwitz, Corporate MMOG/LE Senior Manager, and Jeffrey Baltazar, Vice President of Manufacturing at TS Tech Americas, Inc., to talk about the challenges and benefits of embracing change and implementing MMOG/LE standards.

The conversation focuses on TS Tech's MMOG/LE journey. Jeffrey discusses the challenges of obtaining executive management commitment, particularly in a culturally diverse organization like TS Tech. He stressed the importance of showing the benefits of MMOG/LE in terms of efficiency and cost savings.

Wendy elaborates on the role of education and communication in garnering employee buy-in, stressing the need for understanding and alignment with company goals. She highlights the significance of leadership support and the establishment of dedicated teams to drive the implementation process.

They explore practical aspects of TS Tech's initiatives, including developing internal tools and systems to facilitate compliance and performance tracking. Wendy explains how they use the tools to automate processes and enhance visibility across multiple locations.

Jeffrey and Wendy encourage listeners to start their MMOG/LE journey early and emphasize the competitive advantage it brings. Additionally, they advise leaders to be proactive in embracing change and to see it as an opportunity to grow and improve.

Themes discussed in this episode:

• Updating standards and practices for supply chain efficiency.
• The importance of standards like MMOG/LE in the manufacturing process.
• The crucial role of top management support for successful supply chain initiatives.
• Utilizing technology to streamline supply chain processes and enhance visibility.
• Empowering employees through training and involvement in process improvement.
• Overcoming cultural barriers to foster collaboration and alignment.
• The significant value of continuous learning and evaluation for sustained success.
• Advantages of adopting supply chain standards early for competitive advantage.

Featured on this episode:

Name: Jeffrey Baltazar

Title: Vice President of Manufacturing at TS Tech Americas, Inc.

About: Jeffrey is the Vice President of Manufacturing at TS Tech Americas, Inc. With a strong focus on continuous improvement and customer satisfaction, Jeffrey leverages his expertise in manufacturing, lean manufacturing, operations management, engineering, and more to drive excellence in operations. Endorsed by colleagues for his proficiency in various areas, including Six Sigma, ISO standards, and value stream mapping, Jeffrey is committed to optimizing processes and enhancing efficiency within the automotive industry.

Connect: LinkedIn

Name: Wendy Horwitz

Title: Corporate MMOG/LE Senior Manager at TS Tech Americas, Inc.

About: Wendy serves as the Corporate MMOG/LE Senior Manager at TS Tech Americas, Inc. With a focus on spearheading the development of a new Corporate MMOG/LE program for the Americas Region, Wendy brings extensive experience and strategic vision to her role. Her leadership and expertise drive innovation and efficiency, ensuring the organization meets and exceeds industry standards. With a passion for excellence and a commitment to continuous improvement, Wendy plays a pivotal role in shaping the future success of TS Tech Americas, Inc.

Connect: LinkedIn

Mentioned in this episode:

• Episode with Matt Pohlman: Driving the Future: AIAG's Leadership in the EVolving Industry
• (MMOG/LE) Materials Management Operations Guideline/Logistics Evaluation
• AIAG’s Global MMOG/LE Implementation Training - 6th Edition
• AutoCulture 2.0: Leading with Gravitas by Jan Griffiths

Episode Highlights:

[02:39] Executive Commitment: Discussion on the strategies for gaining executive buy-in and team alignment in supply chain initiatives.

[08:44] Internal Tool Creation: TS Tech's innovative approach to enhancing MMOG/LE implementation with a custom tool.

[11:35] Executive Engagement: Addressing the significance of executive engagement and its impact on successful implementation.

[13:44] Technology Integration: Exploring the role of technology, particularly ERP systems, in enhancing supply chain efficiency and coordination.

[15:18] Training Impact: Examining the effects of on-site training on team collaboration and breaking down organizational silos.

[18:26] Wendy and Jeffrey’s advice: A call to embrace the challenge and prioritize implementing supply chain standards like MMOG/LE sooner rather than later to gain a competitive advantage and avoid being left behind.

Top Quotes:

[05:09] Wendy: “Taking the time and starting with education, making sure that everybody understood why we were doing this. You can tell people it's because of compliance or because a customer wants it or whatever, but you really need to have people understand the foundation and what's in it for them and how this is going to make their life easier.”

[11:55] Jeffrey: “With the labor situation and how hard it is to get people, the more efficient we can be throughout the complete manufacturing process is an ultimate gain. So, as we show those efficiencies, the one thing that we're uncovering is the redundant work that we do with all these multiple spreadsheets. We've got three or four people basically doing the same thing in a different spreadsheet to double-check. Instead of leveraging those systems that are out there, that is data in, data out.”

[09:16] Wendy: “One of the big tenets of MMOG/LE is to automate. The less Excel sheets and manual processes, the better. So, one of our big pushes is to utilize technology as much as we possibly can.”

[18:53] Wendy: “Start now. Don't wait for a customer to come to you and say it's a requirement. Don't wait for the industry to force you into it. You need to get started. I guarantee however long you think it's going to take, it's going to take longer if you're going to do it right because it’s, like you mentioned, it takes laying the groundwork and the training.”

[20:19] Jeffrey: “I would challenge them to take the challenge. Embrace the challenge. There will be benefits reaped in the end. And always remember that your competitors aren't waiting. So, embrace that challenge for change. Look for those efficiencies improvements and the material side is also always overlooked, but there's a lot of opportunity there.”