The times are difficult for Automative parts suppliers. Gas prices are up. Inflation is rising. Automotive demand is down. Delphi is in bankrputcy. Other players are struggling. How does one manage through such a challenging period? As in any down business cycle, the major players – Visteon, Delphi, Tenneco, Faurecia, Metaldyne, ZF Group NAO and others must immediately reduce their cost structure.

However, having wrung out major efficiencies over the past decade, what else is left? The answer is adopting an improved Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) process enabled by breakthrough software that did not exist ten or even five years ago.

Steelwedge Sales and Operations Planning is increasingly becoming the lever for the major players – reducing supply chain costs requires effective, proactive planning . How does one respond to potential supply shocks? What are price tradeoffs? How do I reduce unnecessary inventory? How do I minimize obsolescence products? How can capacity be best leveraged? How can I improve the accuracy of my revenue plan? These are the kinds of questions that an effective, Steelwedge-enabled Sales and Operations Planning process can answer.