Transworld Auto Parts

Christine Lam BA 453 Case Briefing Transworld railroad motorcar move November 11, 2012 Company Overview Transworld Auto Parts ( wiretap) is a Tier 1 manufacturing business of original and after-market parts for automobile producers both in the United States and abroad. TAP focuses on manufacturing in devil core product lines electronics and interiors. Apart from that, it besides sepa evaluate its client-centered divisions into four divisions luxury, thriftiness, mid-priced, and truck. TAP also serves in three main geographical markets including North America, Europe, and Asia.Problem Definition Which of the cardinal balance scorecard approaches better illustrates how Transworld Auto Parts rump improve their ROCE by 8% given the menses economic d declare gimmick? Situational Analysis Transworld Auto Parts belongs in the automobile manufacturing diligence. This persistence is very susceptible to industry trends and changes because much of the industrys sales depends on th e external environment which affects both consumer and supplier behavior. During 2008 when the economy experienced a global recession, many auto makers such as Chrysler and General Motors were on the brink of insolvency due to the decline in car sales.Utilizing the PESTEL framework to better understand the macro-environment, the recession reflects economic factors in the external environment which can influence the industry. The recession affected consumers in the esthesis that they possessed less disposable income, causing them to be less accustomed to purchase new cars during this time. However, other typefaces of the external environment can eud purposeonia firms within this industry. For example, with the rising automobile production in Asia, many suppliers can consider global expansion and developing sales in global markets.Many car manufacturers in Asia possess low labor costs and a great demand in local markets, so suppliers within the industry have this opportunity to expand. Not unless is it important to consider the industry and external environment in which TAP operates in, it is also important to give out its internal resources and capabilities in order to better understand the smart set. TAP presently has operations in four different customer-centered divisions luxury, economy, mid-priced, and truck. However, TAP decided to only focus on improving their luxury and economy division because these two divisions will allow TAP to compete ggressively and make the most profit, correspond to their research. Each of the separate divisions is managed by a separate manager and sustenance staff. This allows Ellen Bright, CEO of TAP to distinguish results from all(prenominal) division and form her own board of directors to make strategic decisions. TAP flourishes with this hierarchical structure because it allows the society to micromanage apiece separate divisions profitability for the company and for it to machine any changes when necessary. Strategy After Bright decided to cut the other two divisions, each manager from the luxury and economy division respectively were assign to create a fit score card to describe their objectives on how to improve their division and what must be done to achieve their refer companys target mark of an 8% return on capital employed (ROCE). Eckhardt, president of the luxury division presented a fit score card that was simple yet with focused objectives for each aspect of the balanced score card.For example, the fiscal positioning contained 4 main goals ontogenesis ROCE, emergence cash guide, increase revenue, and increase gross margin. The customer thought simply included improve customer joy, manage innovation, and initiation customer R&D partnerships. Similarly, the process perspective included two main goals reduce in the buff materials cost and maintain character leadership. Lastly, the encyclopedism and growth perspective only included one objective increase employee engagement. On the other hand, Kwon, president of the economy division took a more than complex and descriptive approach with the balanced score card.He went into detail to the highest degree each of the four perspectives and proposed very specific, action-oriented goals. He had similar financial perspective objectives, but each of the other perspectives contained about four or louver different objectives. For example, the learning and growth perspective contained six objectives train buyers on low cost procurement, enhance electronic interchanges with customers and suppliers, transform workforce into JIT/ move experts, make JIT/lean a priority for all workers, alight IT to brave out TQM and JIT, and enhance workforce capabilities in TQM.Both approaches of the balanced score card aim to attain similar overall goals. Below are some pros and cons for each approach Luxury Division- Pros focusing goals in broad chunks make it easier to attain, with getatable goals employees are hap pier, creating healthier company morale Cons too simple without specifically stating what actions must be taken in order to meet objectives, efficiency cause confusion among employees Economy Division- Pros very detailed with specific measures and actions on how to achieve objectives Cons may seem to expect too much from employees, which makes goal appear to be and discourage employeesAction Plan After analyzing both approaches to the balanced score card, the economy division presented a more well thought out and action specific plan to reach the companys target goal. The most important factors to consider when analyzing balanced score separate are * Does it describe and link? * Does it provide incentives and balances? * Does it predict and plan? Kwon did a great job describing each objective and linking it to other perspectives of the BSC. This in turn created specific goals which are measurable.The objectives he proposed included both financial and non financial goals creating a n overall balance. Lastly, his balanced score card plans for not only light term objectives but also long term objectives which helps plan for the companys future success. In conclusion, Kwon had a better approach to the balanced score card and Bright should promote Kwon to the COO position. Appendix A Revised Balanced Score Card for Luxury Division Objectives Measures financial purview Increased ROCE ROCE Increase Cash Flow Year-to-date cash flow from operating activities Increase Revenue Year-to-date revenueIncrease Gross bank Gross Margin % Customer Perspective Improve customer gladness global market share Be low-cost provider of quality % of components with prices lower than competitors Manage innovation of products number of new products introduced, customer surveys become customer R&D partnerships number of customers with whom TAP partners with Be highest quality provider customer surveys Process Perspective Reduce raw materials cost cost of raw materials with re spect to % of revenue Eliminating defect rates track number of defectsImprove supplier base number of suppliers, ratings of each supplier Better inventory/demand forecasting % reduction in inventory carrying costs Improve manufacturing efficiency reduction in forced downtime, % reduction in labor hours per part Learning and Growth Perspective Increase training of employees number of certified employees Increase employee engagement satisfaction surveys Aligning IT support % increase in IT spending Managing tools employee uses employee survey