General Motors CEO Dan Akerson recently told Automotive News that it had to be more upfront about telling its suppliers about its product plans, adding “we have to be willing to say that, if they’ll bring a good idea to us first, we’d be willing to pay for it.” (Quote as reported in Crain’s Detroit Business.)
Congratulations. We’ve been saying for years that a well-managed supply chain is a source of innovation as well as cost improvements. In it’s most simple expression — you can’t expect suppliers to bring their best ideas to their worst customers.
Sounds like that message has finally arrived in the corner office at GM.
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