Increasing international competition and the need to meet upcoming environmental legislation result in automotive suppliers constantly seeking weight reduction of cars - whilst also increasing comfort and safety for drivers and passengers. New, lighter materials present joining issues, and their use as combinations in structural components creates the need for truly innovative solutions.
Many observers have noted that large car manufacturers adopt a 'supply to specification' strategy instead of purchasing parts according to their own designs. The R&D efforts are delegated down the supply chain, and the ever-growing R&D budgets of the most effective Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers are a clear proof of this trend. To remain competitive, they outsource their R&D to individual short-term contractors, to automotive consultants and to external R&D providers.
The following links demonstrate the interaction within automotive supply chains and the services that these obtain from TWI:
- Development of Automotive Supply Chains
- Pre-competitive Automotive Research in TWI's Core Research Programme (Industrial Members only)
- Top 10 Papers by TWI Authors Presented to the Automotive Supply Chain
- Most Frequently Asked Questions in the Automotive Supply Chain ( JoinIT ® password required to view these items)
- Assessment of Supplier Performance
- Lean Manufacturing
The automotive supply chains contract TWI for a wide variety of services ranging from speculative research on new joining technologies, through development and implementation of these processes to the shop floor, to obtaining consultancy on repair and recycling of ageing structures.
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