Supplier parks in the automotive industry

Abstract

The auto industry has undergone substantial structural and other change in the last 20 years. The influences of globalisation, implementation of lean production and the development of modularisation have had profound influences on the relationships between automobile assemblers (OEMs) and their suppliers, in particular those in the first tier. In the age of e-business and global outsourcing the development of supplier parks could be argued to be surprising. This paper briefly outlines the development of supplier parks as part of the auto industry supply chain and offers some potential theoretical perspectives on why they have emerged.

An Analysis of the Automaker-Systemist Supplier Relationship in an Automotive Industrial Condominium

“…The frequency of contact is very high, enabling them to operate with low levels of stocks and a high level of integration for the solution of problems. These contacts create bonds of trust between the companies, rendering the system even more efficient, as indicated by the findings of the study by Morris et al (2004), who point out that modularization does not refer solely to technology but also to organizational and social relationships between companies. This format of supply chain structure, which privileges a high degree of reciprocity, trust, and exchange of refined information, is worldwide trend in the automotive sector.…”

“…As Doran (2004) explains, in the modular system there is a transfer of added value from the automaker to first-tier suppliers, especially to modulists. Morris et al (2004) stated that the modular system gives rise to mutual development between automaker and suppliers in accepting work methods, standard procedures, rules, documents and methods of communication. This characteristic renders the system mode interactive than impository, "in other words, modularization does not refer solely to technology but also to organizational and social relationships between companies" (Morris et al, 2004, p. 130).…”

Uma análise preliminar das contribuições da modularidade em produto ao ecodesign

“…Além disso, a modularidade em produto tem sido visada como uma maneira de acelerar o desenvolvimento de novos produtos e reduzir os custos no processo de desenvolvimento (JACOBS et al, 2011). Na modularidade em produto, Morris et al (2004) definem que a mesma é focada nas fronteiras entre os subsistemas de componentes integrados, dentro de características de projeto e tarefas, as quais devem ser interdependentes entre os módulos (CAUCHICK MIGUEL, 2004 As aplicações da modularidade em produto são relatadas na literatura, havendo, inclusive, publicações relacionadas com práticas e estratégias ambientais (foco do presente trabalho). Por exemplo, Nunes e Bennett (2008), em uma pesquisa teórico-conceitual, identificaram contribuições da modularidade para as "operações verdes", tanto na abordagem de produto como outras tais como condomínios modulares e modularidade em cadeia de suprimentos.…”

Design modularity: identification of benefits and difficulties through a bibliographical analysis in the perspective of automotive assemblers and suppliers

“…Concerning product/design modularity, Morris, Donnelly and Donnelly (2004) state that it is focused on the boundaries among integrated components subsystems within design features and tasks, which should be interdependent modules (CAUCHICK MIGUEL, 2004). Graziadio (2004) and Cauchick Miguel, Cabral Netto and Marioka (2009) add that such modularity aims to reduce manufacturing time by performing different activities simultaneously and providing modules with the help of specialized suppliers, which theoretically contributes to technological improvements.…”