P552/F-150 Pickup

Packaging Products Inc.’s (PPI) Minority Business Enterprise certification in 2015, opened the door to a new world of networking and resources.  One of these resources was the Michigan Minority Supplier Development council (MMSDC).   MMSDC believes in the four pillar methodology (Certify-Develop-Connect-Advocate), which led PPI to join the Minority Business Enterprise Input committee (MBEIC).  The GEPT concept was introduced to PPI and help navigate PPI’s success story.  The following points out how each facet of the GEPT process was leveraged.
 
GATHER (Layout vision) PPI set a goal to increase sales by targeting automotive production parts business
 
EXPOSE (Use all available opportunities) PPI optimized free memberships and discounted training
 
PREPARE Develop business through contacts made and ISO 9001:2015 certification completed
 
TARGET (Plan of Action) Transfer plan was successfully completed, resulting in increased sales and business opportunities
 
PPI’s success story includes an opportunistic meeting in early 2016 with Greg Harris (Vitec-Global Automotive Alliance) at the AIAG office. Greg asked Larry Flory (PPI CEO) if he planned to take advantage of the FREE five year AIAG membership program available to MBE manufacturing companies under $20M in sales. PPI utilized the cost savings of the membership and discounted training fees to enroll three of its employees into six ISO9001:2015 related courses (APQP, FEMA,SPC and MSA) Utilizing the knowledge and networking connections made though AIAG training, PPI was able to embark onto the next step of ISO9001:2015 certification. PPI has participated in numerous MBE community networking events. Through these connections, PPI obtained recommendations for several ISO9001:2015 consultants. PPI assigned one of their AIAG trained employees to work with a consultant to prepare for ISO9001:2015 certification, which was obtained just 4 months later. PPI's ISO9001:2015 certification along with their MBE certification put them in a unique position to satisfy the Tier 1 automotive supplier needs for both gaskets and custom fit foam solutions. They were able to obtain automotive product part business for the Ford P552 program in 2016. PPI supplied four soft crushed rubber gaskets for the program, which represented about a $3M annual sales gain. These parts were supplied with zero defects and 100% on time delivery. In addition to the increased business, many valuable introductions and connections were made throughout the year, which presents PPI with a multitude of new business opportunities for 2017.  PPI would like to thank both MSDC and AIAG for assisting in their company’s supply chain automotive production parts evolution.