|
|
 |
Articles - Publication Date 10.1.2001
Supply-Chain Strategist
Looking for the definitive textbook on multitier-supply-chain management? There isn't one. But there is Jeff Trimmer, who is determined to find and improve upon manufacturing's best practices through the National Initiative for Supply Chain Integration.
By Tonya Vinas
IndustryWeek Managing Editor Tonya Vinas recently interviewed Jeff Trimmer, formerly director for operations and strategy in the Chrysler Group Procurement & Supply Organization at DaimlerChrysler Corp. Trimmer now is chairman of the National Initiative for Supply Chain Integration in Tempe, Ariz. He holds an undergraduate degree from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in industrial management and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.
IW: What is the National Initiative for Supply Chain Integration (NISCI)? Who are its members, and what are its goals?
Trimmer: NISCI is a trade association dedicated to creating and demonstrating advanced techniques for supply-chain collaboration and integration over supply chains of three or more links. The distinction of supply chains with three links or more is significant because the problems of coordinating and managing multitier supply chains is a lot more complex than managing bilateral links with first-tier suppliers. In addition, many other groups have addressed the issues of working directly with suppliers in bilateral relationships.
NISCI's core hypothesis is that supply-chain collaboration is essential to achieving fundamental improvements to systems costs, quality, and cycle time. Most other approaches in dealing with supply chains focus primarily on shifting costs, quality problems, or cycle-time issues, rather than addressing the root causes of these issues. Inherent in this concept is the firm belief that the benefits of supply-chain integration must be developed and shared among all participants, including the final customer.
There are nine active members of NISCI: Amkor Technology Inc., DaimlerChrysler Corp., Deere & Co., Harley-Davidson Inc., Intel Corp., National Assn. of Purchasing Management, Procter & Gamble Co., Trane Co., and Supply America Corp. (an organization that represents the hundreds of thousands of small manufacturing companies that make up the bulk of the lower-tier members of many manufacturing supply chains).
NISCI has six key initiatives that we are working on with our members and other associates:
Developing supply-chain relationships that promote open collaboration and predictability. Open collaboration and predictability of a supply-chain member's actions are prerequisites to many of the other initiatives.
Stimulating continuous improvement in systems cost, quality, and cycle times. We expect this to be an iterative process, not a one-time event.
Measuring economic performance, which is essential to tracking our progress.
Developing processes to design efficient supply chains. This involves both supplier selection and chain structure.
Working to evaluate and promote technological solutions for real-time communication, measurement, and decision support. E-business and the Internet are key enablers to this process.
Educating and training people in the techniques and strategies that we have developed. To that end, we are working to encourage standards for supply-chain management education and training.
NISCI works with its members in a variety of ways. We hold quarterly meetings where we share best practices in supply-chain integration that our companies, or, in fact, other companies that we are associated with, have developed. We are helping member companies to adapt and apply these best practices to their unique supply chains and corporate cultures. We are funding selected research projects in advanced supply-chain techniques. Where practical we are conducting experiments with specific member supply chains, and finally we are constantly exploring new directions and innovative concepts in supply-chain integration, wherever they may arise.
IW: Why should corporate executives or analysts who follow manufacturing care about supply-chain management?
Trimmer: Industry is, or is about to be, in a third phase of development. The first phase w
|
|
"If a company really is to manage its total costs, quality, cycle time, and even technology, it needs to be able to manage its supply chains."
Jeff Trimmer, National Initiative for Supply Chain Integration
|
|