BUS 631 Integrated Supply Chain Management

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:

A. Suppliers for raw materials

B. Suppliers for parts and subsystems

C. 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