Abstract
Thinking global
- Global application of products must be planned in the complete "Value Chain", starting with specification and development.
- Worldwide application: the market is the whole world
- Global sales organization: global customers are served globally
- Global purchasing organization: utilization of cost reduction potentials from Low Cost country sourcing
- Global R&D organization: utilization of cost reduction potentials in LCC in the R&D sector
Acting local
- Worldwide presence with production and service in all continents
- Global product design adapted to local requirements
- Suppliers of the Commercial Vehicle industry, not able to cope with the global challenges, can only maintain a minor role as Tier 2 or 3 suppliers. Their existence is often endangered due to unfavourable cost structures.
- Local medium-sized companies still have opportunities in market niches and with special small series products, or in some cases by patent protection without the possibility to design around.