Automotive Groups Present Materials Management Guidelines

The Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) and Odette International Ltd. have developed global guidelines for materials management. They are available to interested parties. The guidelines -- M-7:Global Materials Management Operations Guideline Logistics Evaluation (MMOG/LE) -- were developed, the two organizations say, to streamline materials process compliance between suppliers and their customers. "The MMOG/LE guidelines give manufacturers the ability to build supplier development programs that contribute to lean operations," says Andrew J. Cummins, executive director of AIAG. "The guidelines will help all companies in the supply chain to identify performance gaps and achieve benchmarks that are accepted throughout the industry." The MMOG/LE document serves as a common materials management guide for North America and Europe, the developers say. Automotive suppliers and OEMs can use it for internal assessments, benchmarking, evaluating supplier performance and other efforts. It includes a self-assessment that grades users based on their compliance with the guidelines. The MMOG/LE content is aligned with the ISO/TS 16949:2002 quality standard. M-7:Global Materials Management Operations Guideline Logistics Evaluation is available for free download at the AIAG Website for members only and for $10 on CD, also for members. Non-members can purchase a copy for $50. Southfield, Mich.-based AIAG is a non-profit association that aims to improve the automotive supply chain. London's Odette International is a non-profit organization that sets standards for e-business and logistics processes for the European auto industry.