Plotting A New Course

After six years at my current employer, I have decided to make a career change. I have been looking at the ravaged landscape that is the automotive manufacturing world and seeing too many craters and mine fields. The number of bankruptcy and plant consolidations is staggering. The company I work for (at least for 2 more days) has consolidated at least 20% of its North American plants in the last two years. The plant I work at has been headed for that list at least five times in the last six years. They are currently creating a monster by putting the remnants of three different plants into the current product mix. Most of those processes are either brand new or different enough to cause serious doubt about the plant talent base. I see a plant being set up to fail. Maybe I am too close to the heart of the matter.

I am heading for the world of non-automotive manufacturing after 20 years of making parts for cars. Not having to deal with the automotive assembly plants changing their minds at the drop of a hat and expecting you to respond (at your own expense) to their failure. No more TS16949 which is the universal accepted evaluation method which you pay a company to come in and evaluate whether you are doing what you way you do. They also make sure that you are following all of the rules imposed by the auto makers. What makes the whole thing worse is that the auto companies force you to spend the money to have yourself evaluated. So you have your operations disrupted for a week, entertain someone who is basically trying to find fault with how you do your job and then pay for the privilege to be a supplier. On top of that you are forced to give back typically 5% of your current sales price every year to the auto makers, just to deepen the amount of money you are currently losing on what you ship. As Oliver says, "Can I have some more?"

I do not know what the new company will bring. They make electrical items for both commercial and industrial applications. I know they are looking for someone to come in and put some systems in place to improve their competitive edge. I have managed to glean that from 20 years in automotive. When you are continuously fighting for your survival, you learn how to do more with less and make sure things are streamlined as possible. Unfortunately, you can get too lean and when the energy reserve is gone, you tend to get a sick patient. You only have to look at the current state of North American auto suppliers. Can anyone say CLEAR? Recharge the paddles.

Icool

Cobb