Aston Martin bonds

The company is developing closer ties with Tier 1 suppliers in its new role as an independent.

When Aston Martin emerged from beneath the wing of Ford last year, some thought that the small, highly specialized niche player in a global market was going to experience culture-change trauma.

“We have not,” said Aston Martin Engineering Director Ian Minards. “In fact, I have found that, since we became an independent small manufacturer, it has been easier to talk to large Tier 1 suppliers than when we were part of Ford. For them, it is the power, prestige, and image of the name that is the attraction. In that sense, Aston Martin is a major brand, and some of that rubs off on the supplier to add kudos-although we would not necessarily promote our association with suppliers.”