Future Requirements for Component Manufacturers

摘要

As the automotive industry continues to maintain its position as a leading indicator in today's economy, the Tier One and Tier Two suppliers attempt to maintain the appropriate levels of quality, service and technology while continuing to tighten their belts in today's challenging atmosphere. Industries highly dependent on the automotive sector, like Powder Metallurgy, are particularly affected by this cycle and typically have adjusted and rode out the storm. Is that enough in today's environment? A brief review of automotive trends as well as Delphi Corporation will be followed by a review of Delphi's use of P/M in their varying sectors. Issues of concern facing the Delphi P/M commodity team will be followed by a summary of challenges and recommended areas P/M parts manufacturers might concentrate on for future success. As a customer in the P/M community and a systems supplier to OEM's in the automotive industry, let me begin by briefly describing Delphi's history and future vision. Understanding our future will help explain our requirements for P/M parts manufacturers. Delphi Corporation is a world leader in vehicle and transportation electronics, integrated vehicle sub-systems, and modules. In 1998, we were incorporated as a subsidiary of General Motors, with our initial public offering the following year. In 2002, "Delphi Automotive Systems" became "Delphi Corporation" to support our expansion into non-automotive venues. We are 67th in the 2002 Fortune company list. Our global presence includes 176 manufacturing locations, with 192,000 employees located throughout the world, as illustrated below in Figure One.