Navigating through an unplanned shutdown can feel like being lost in a complex theme park, with this looming, ominous red arrow on a demand curve map pointing right at the bottom where you stand. It reads, “You are here.” Although unsettling, it's essential to remember that this phase, though challenging, is temporary. The key is to be prepared to move forward because customer expectations and releases are not going to stop and wait.
In this article, we’ll delve into the potential of on-demand labor as a viable solution to not only recover from the current shutdown but to build operational resilience and down-cycle agility for the unforeseeable future.
The automotive supply chain is currently navigating through a phase of unplanned shutdowns that have temporarily disrupted operations. Though we find ourselves in a tough situation, it is critical to remain forward-thinking and proactive. Soon things will be back up again and you will need to be operating at full speed.
The series of events that have gotten us here have created a domino effect, leading to a drop in releases and causing several supplier sites to stop production. Expensive machines and complex lines have been throttled or shut off. Bins and dunnage remain empty. Parts are stacking up in some places and requests for service parts in other sites are going unfilled. Releases, in many cases, have not fully stopped though.
Layoffs are currently happening, some temporary and some permanent. This situation has expanded beyond expectations and anticipated levels. Even when things return to normal, not everyone will be coming back. The ripple effect of these shutdowns are significant, impacting every aspect of the supply chain. To get caught back up, releases are likely to exceed normal levels and suppliers need to be ready for the next phase.
As things eventually come back online, releases will re-materialize and most likely surpass normal levels in the short term. There will then be a dash to get back up to full speed again. Slack will not be given for free. This will pose challenges for your organization. For example:
Resolving all of these points doesn't factor in time lost for upcoming launches. Before launching a new program, a supplier needs to undertake a meticulous capacity assessment to ensure existing infrastructure, machinery, and human resources are adequate, or identify if additional investments are necessary. Recruiting, onboarding, and training times will be considerable bottlenecks to execute this properly.
OEMs will be putting pressure on their supply base to perform. It is not uncommon for those struggling to not want to bring a challenge to the OEM because they are worried about garnering extra, negative attention. Communication will be key and hiding things will not help.
Taking all of these factors into account, suppliers need to respond as quickly and as cost-effectively as possible to scale back up from a downcycle period. Veryable has several options to look to drive operational excellence.
Though we are in the midst of challenging times, the industry is prepared to move forward and recover. The wants and needs of your customer are changing though. We need to become agile. Preparing for the upswing and new business opportunities is crucial. Developing a labor pool through on-demand labor will not only allow for a swift recovery but protect against future instances. It makes a site more resilient, ready to embrace challenges and opportunities in the future. Build this asset to not only protect what you have now but provide a long-term solution and a competitive advantage to see that your organization continues to thrive.
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