Ford Motor Company Powertrain Engineering instituted an innovative Work Process Plan designed to evaluate, develop, and improve it's selected long-term supplier base. This process was implemented in 1987 and continues to function improving our suppliers capabilities in the areas of Product & Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, Production Control, and Sales/Purchasing Interaction.
A pilot Supply Base Development, Casting and Machining team was set -up in July, 1987 to assist the casting, machining, piston, and ring supply base. The success of this team lead to the fornation of three additional Supply Base Development teams within the following year to assist suppliers in Sealing, Assemblies, and Front End Accessory Drive (FEAD) commodities.
The benefits of this process to Ford and it's suppliers has resulted in assisting two suppliers to reach the TQE level, support the Ford directive to bring all suppliers to the Q-1 level, guide suppliers not meeting the minimum technical levels required by Ford Powertrain to meet those levels, and institute cross-functional training and team building at Ford and it's suppliers.