What we do
Price and quality are the same conversation
Two things decide whether a sourced program pays off: what the part costs landed, and what the defects cost you afterwards. Everything on this page is how we manage both. The six-dimension framework we score sources against lives on the Suppliers page.
Mold line, ready to pour — where landed cost is really decided
The two equations we manage
Price
Volume
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Added value to the part, such as machining
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Long-term contract incentives
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Cost control initiatives
Lower component prices and lower overall program cost
Quality
Reduced defect rate and PPM
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Fewer rejections
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Reduced severity of rejections
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Timeliness of corrective actions
Higher quality and lower overall program cost
What we actually do on a program
Sourcing & supplier development
Provide a competitive environment for customers while helping principals prosper
Evaluate suppliers against your requirements
Develop supplier selection strategies
Open and maintain communication channels
Negotiate and sign contracts with suppliers
Reduce language and culture barriers
Coordinate site visits and evaluations
Study the global market and its impact on component price and quality
Develop supplier ramp-up programs
Arrange customer site visits and coordinate supplier approval
Program & relationship management
Project management support for partners
Develop strategic alliances and joint ventures with suppliers
Give direction and guidance to suppliers per customer needs
Act as liaison between customer and manufacturer
Develop and implement corrective actions for programs in jeopardy
Define critical milestones and delivery dates
Onsite collaboration with partners and the sales team
Physical representation in China, Taiwan, India and Pakistan
Assure quality, timely delivery and logistics setup
Deliver warranty commitments and resolve defect liability
Questions we get asked
If yours isn't here, email and ask — you'll get a straight answer from the person who knows.
Do you only source from overseas?
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Our sources are certified manufacturers in China, India, Pakistan, Korea and Taiwan — but the contract, the warehousing and the accountability are all here in Detroit. You deal with a US company.
How do you get to a 23% cost reduction?
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Volume, added value at the source such as machining, long-term contract incentives, and cost control initiatives we run with the supplier. It is arithmetic, not a discount.
What certifications do your sources hold?
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ISO/TS 16949, and we will not present a source that is not certified or on a documented path with a completion date. Our QA lead has taken Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers through ISO, QS and TS certification.
Who is on the ground when something goes wrong?
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Our own representatives, physically present in China, Taiwan, India and Pakistan. They walk the line, document the issue and drive the corrective action.
How do parts reach our plants?
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DDP — delivered duty paid — into our US warehouses or straight to your plant locations, with inspection and re-packing available before the load moves.
What if the program is already in trouble?
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That is often when we are called. We develop and implement corrective actions, redefine critical milestones and delivery dates, and stay on it until the launch is back on plan.