Abstract
Many changes are occurring in the transportation equipment industry and some changes are being made at an accelerating rate. Global competition has spawned mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures and ‘partnerships’ which are changing the traditional roles played by vehicle builders and their component and material suppliers.
In some cases the OEMs are moving toward more reliance on ‘full service’ suppliers who can provide ‘cradle to grave’ support. This implies that a longer-term relationship must be established (and earlier) in the new product development cycles with a clearer under standing of the business needs of both parties.
Product R and D and planning must be brought together with both suppliers and the OEMs participating in development programmes that will result in shorter response times, less ‘total’ programme and product costs, and much better downstream quality.
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