MIKE THOENY
RISK & RESILIENCE
MIKE THOENY
TITLE : PRESIDENT , AUTOMOTIVE BUSINESS GROUP
COMPANY : FLEX INDUSTRY : MANUFACTURING
Mike Thoeny has more than 30 years of international automotive experience working with world-class brands across the mobility ecosystem . He has a track record of developing high performing teams that have delivered numerous first-to-market automotive product technology innovations .
Learning from tech leaders Mike suggests the automotive sector can learn valuable lessons from the hyperscale data centre industry , which has successfully navigated similar technological transitions .
“ Both industries are undergoing technology transitions that are transforming their landscapes ,” he says . “ The rapid adoption of generative AI is driving demand for hyperscale data centres in the cloud industry in the same way that the rise of the software-defined vehicle is changing the game for the automotive industry .”
It ’ s a comparison that reveals some concerning disparities . Analysis of supply chain trends and cross-industry data from Flex ’ s Joint Risk Management application , which utilises AI / machine learning and insights from five million components , shows the automotive industry carries a risk score twice as high as other industries .
Mike goes on : “ Our data shows the automotive industry is 25 % more likely to experience components being out of stock , 15 % more likely to see future component shortages and 10 % more likely than the communications , enterprise and cloud sector to experience long lead times .”
Four pillars of supply chain resilience In addressing the aforementioned challenges , Mike advocates for four fundamental approaches that have proven successful in other industries : regionalisation , multi-sourcing , industry -wide collaboration and supply chain digitisation .
These solutions certainly aren ’ t new to automotive , but he says data shows the industry is failing to execute at the speed required to build resilient supply chains .
Regionalisation has already emerged as a crucial strategy , with a recent McKinsey & Company survey indicating almost two-thirds of supply chain leaders are actively pursuing this approach .
Mike highlights : “ Manufacturing in-region could empower the automotive industry to avoid the risks arising from tariffs , geopolitical tensions and supply chain disruptions , while also delivering other benefits , such as improving responses to regional customers and reduced carbon footprint .”
When it comes to multi-sourcing , Mike points out that the cold , hard figures reveal a particularly concerning gap .
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