What is the Ford Troubled Supplier group?

[desotocrazy]

Is anyone familiar with a group from Ford that deals with troubled suppliers? We were told that a group is being sent in to our facility in the near future to discuss what we need to do to get out of trouble. Who is "this group" made up of? What exactly do they do?? We're all a bit on edge right now.

 

[onestout]

Re: Ford Troubled Supplier group?? What is this?

I haven't dealt with Ford but John Deere has a group of specialists that come in when there are supply issues and help to get you on track. They can be a valuable resource, be open with them and tell them what you can do. Be honest, there will be negotiations to get them parts. They are not there to slap you and tell you that you are bad, they are coming in to help.

 

[silentrunning]

Re: Ford Troubled Supplier group?? What is this?

"They are not there to slap you and tell you that you are bad, they are coming in to help"

No truer words were ever spoken. Go into this with the attitude that it is an opportunity to improve your companies processes. Everyone will win.

 

[desotocrazy]

Re: Ford Troubled Supplier group?? What is this?

Thank you Onestout. Ok, so for John Deere, who would they send in? Was this like just Quality people or a whole group involving Procurement, Quality, Delivery, etc? I'm just trying to get a feel as to what to expect next week. Thank you again.

 

[desotocrazy]

Re: Ford Troubled Supplier group?? What is this?

Help we can use. I just want to know what and who/whom to expect. They haven't given an itinerary yet. I just get fearful when they tell us "we're sending our people in".

 

[Stijloor]

Re: Ford Troubled Supplier group?? What is this?

Is anyone familiar with a group from Ford that deals with troubled suppliers? We were told that a group is being sent in to our facility in the near future to discuss what we need to do to get out of trouble. Who is "this group" made up of? What exactly do they do?? We're all a bit on edge right now.

They are called: Ford Supplier Technical Assistants (STA's).
Their task is to help suppliers that have difficulty meeting Ford Motor Company requirements.

Good luck!

 

[onestout]

Re: Ford Troubled Supplier group?? What is this?

It will depend on what they feel the trouble is. For example, if you are having a quality issue they may be sending in machinists, forging experts, etc. Whoever they feel will help you out the most. I worked at a foundry so when we had the issue JD sent in a group of experts from their foundry to see what they could do to assist us. They may not be able to "fix" everything that day but these people will have connections and be able to see who will be of the most help and work you through the situation to come up with the best solution for Ford.

 

[Mikishots]

Is anyone familiar with a group from Ford that deals with troubled suppliers? We were told that a group is being sent in to our facility in the near future to discuss what we need to do to get out of trouble. Who is "this group" made up of? What exactly do they do?? We're all a bit on edge right now.

As Stijloor mentioned, they're called STA's. They provide hands-on mentoring and development of supplier partners, and will be looking at things like control plan and FMEA methods, PPAP's, product planning (APQP) etc.