Missing Links?
To keep things running smoothly, you just have to mind your own business, right? Wrong. If millennium madness has taught you anything, it should be this: Your business is only as strong as your weakest link.
In the early 1990s, one of Chrysler's hottest products wasthe Jeep Grand Cherokee. The procurement and supply departmentdecided to determine how reliable its suppliers were and beganmapping out all the sources for the Jeep's engine. One of itscomponents was a roller-lifter valve made by Eaton Corp.
But the raw metal castings for this piece came from a small shopnear the Eaton factory. The castings company, in turn, got theunique clay it used in its foundry from another supplier. WhenChrysler visited that source, it discovered the company had beenlosing money on its clay and its owner had decided--without tellinganyone else--to change his business. Imagine the reaction of theChrysler executives when he informed them that he was planning toprocess the clay into kitty litter instead! If Chrysler hadn'tbeen keeping tabs on its suppliers, it could have lost a lot oftime and money trying to replace its clay supplier.
Continue reading this article - and everything on Entrepreneur!
Become a member to get unlimited access and support the voices you want to hear more from. Get full access to Entrepreneur for just $5.
Entrepreneur Editors' Picks
-
When Her Parents' Restaurant Burned Down, This First-Generation Founder's Hot Sauce Brand Rose From the Ashes to Take on Corporate Giants
-
Not Hitting Your Goals? Here's How to Know If You Should Change Tactics or Strategy.
-
You Can Generate Your Own Viral LinkedIn Post With This Hilarious Tool
-
This Couple Lost Everything When the Housing Market Crashed. But Manifesting 'Magic' Helped Them Launch a Metaphysical Brand With 10 Stores.
-
The Best Software Solutions and Tech Providers in the Franchising Industry
-
This 18-Year-Old Student Wanted a Better Way to Keep Track of His School Work. So He Built an App — and a Business.
