Continuing Our Focus to Serve OESA Members
Neil De Koker, OESA

As OESA looks forward to 2012, I wanted to look back and ask, “Did OESA deliver what we promised members for 2011?”  While 2011 was full of curve balls that no one expected, I pulled up my January 2011 De Koker’s Corner, reviewed the top priorities I laid out 12 months ago and simply asked, “Did OESA deliver?”  Here is my report card.

One of OESA’s top priorities was to increase the interaction with the vehicle manufacturers.  In a year with considerable distractions and distress, OESA stayed focused on this priority and delivered Town Hall meetings with Ford, General Motors, Honda and Toyota that provided opportunities for OESA members to develop and deepen working relationships.  We also broadened our OEM participation by involving OEM representatives from numerous functional areas such as warranty, engineering, procurement, product development, environmental health and safety, energy management, manufacturing and legal in OESA events and council meetings.

An additional priority was to focus on the issues surrounding supply shortages and raw material costs.  OESA worked with our extensive network of affiliate members to host meetings on supply chain risk, the recovery process from the Japan crisis and material cost management.  These topics were also extensively covered in the OESA councils and our monthly newsletter. 

Finally, a major priority of OESA was to promote the industry as a high-tech, innovative and growing business sector.  OESA accomplished this by continuing to be a voice for the industry through our activities in Washington, D.C. and the states and through the local and national media to ensure our success stories are heard.  OESA worked closely with the MEMA Washington office to engage a record number of suppliers in Congressional Hill visits during the MEMA Washington Summit and establish the first Government Affairs Committee meeting in a state capital. 

So, what is on the 2012 docket?  I could simply say a more intense focus on OEM relationships, supply chain issues and industry advocacy.  However, the pace and complexity of this industry does not allow us to do only more of the same.  Through OESA councils, member surveys and the recently conducted MEMA public policy survey, OESA will add three key focus areas for 2012:

• Workforce competencies to attract, retain and engage the supplier workforce
• Supply chain capabilities to manage increased global complexity and volumes
• Manufacturing competitiveness to align public policies, supply chain and workforce efforts into a cohesive forward path                                                                   

As 2012 evolves, I am sure there may be side trips to this roadmap.  However, we will listen to our members and, as a result, you will keep OESA on course.  With OESA member engagement and ideas, we will continue to organize our events, council meetings and other services to what is most relevant to your business and the industry.  This is your association.  OESA needs your engagement.                         

Very soon, if not already, you will see the 2012 OESA Member Feedback Survey arrive in your inbox.  This is one of the many mechanisms we use to learn how OESA did in delivering on our priorities and what we can do better, differently (or continue to do) to meet your needs.  Please take the few minutes the survey requires to provide your candid feedback on our performance and your needs.  OESA is committed in 2012 to fulfill our promise to be the voice, forum and resource for the automotive original equipment supplier industry.

As always, I look forward to your views and can be reached at 248.952.6401 ext. 224 or ndekoker@oesa.org.