- Supply Chain Forecasting
Discuss how forecasting effects the supply chain of an automobile manufacturer. Consider especially the forecasting and supply chains involved in manufacturing a new model (entirely new, not an edition/annual change). How do the individual supply chains for the subparts effect the larger supply chain of the whole automobile. How does forecasting effect the just-in-time or lean production system used in most automobile manufacturing plants?
Example of a typical automobile supply chain:
- Suppliers for raw materials
- Suppliers for parts and subsystems
- Automobile manufacturer (Ford, in the example). Within
a company, there are also different departments, which constitute the
internal supply chain:
- Purchasing and material handling
- Manufacturing
- Marketing, etc.
- Transportation providers
- Automobile dealers
- Risk Management
Create a rudimentary supply chain for delivering canned peaches to the consumer. Discuss the sources of uncertainty within this supply chain. What are the risks? How could the manufacturer mediate the risks?