Scania annual report 2004

Södertälje to devise the working methods
for the new truck range.
This preparatory work is one important
reason why it proved possible to implement
the changeover to the new truck range very
efficiently at all European production units.
Long-term collaboration with suppliers
Long-term collaboration with suppliers,
plus clear demands, have been Scania’s
strategy for ensuring deliveries to the new
truck range.
Key suppliers were involved in the
development process at an early stage. As
a result of clear collaboration mechanisms
respected by both parties, the flow of
materials into the production system has
been almost without disruptions. One
important parameter in this work has been
the use of the QS 9000 standard, which
mainly defines what is required of suppliers,
but also what Scania must contribute. QS
9000 means that suppliers quality-assure
their products and processes, which results
in deliveries with improved quality
and precision. This is necessary if Scania
is to have a high direct flow into its production
system.
Taken together, the improvements at
Scania and in its interface with suppliers
have contributed to an efficient changeover,
with few quality deviations.
Changed supplier structure
In its purchasing work, Scania is moving
towards a more international supplier
structure. This means that to a growing
extent, Scania will use more than one
supplier for the same part. The globally
coordinated production network also
affects where Scania buys its production
materials.
The trend towards a changed supplier
base has accelerated as new products
have been phased in. Scania is establishing
procurement offices in more countries and
is developing a special infrastructure to
enable the company to import more components
and parts into Europe from South
America and elsewhere.
Continued production changeovers
During 2005, Scania will begin the changeover
to a new range of buses and coaches.
As with the truck range, this transition will
occur as customers and markets demand
the latest available technology and will
take advantage of Scania’s production
resources on a global basis.
New solutions and improvements
are continuously introduced at
production units.
PRODUCTION • SCANIA ANNUAL REPORT 2004 36