Over the course of nearly four decades in the automotive industry, https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-hurles-455265b8/ (Bill Hurles) has seen a lot. With a mechanical engineering degree and an MBA in hand, he began working at General Motors in the 1980s. Eventually, he moved from the engineering side of the organization into manufacturing, and when an opportunity arose in supply chain management, he took it. 
When Bill retired, he was GM’s Executive Director for Global Supply Chain Operations. Today, with supply chain issues suddenly in the headlines, he is the perfect guest to shine some light on where the auto supply chain has been, what’s led to its current struggles and where it’s headed. 
Themes discussed in this episode: 


How you never know where your career in the auto industry will take you
The efficiency and effectiveness of lean manufacturing
Why organizations would be better off improving supply chain systems than replacing them altogether 
What Bill would do to address the current supply chain issues if he came out of retirement and stepped back into his role at GM. 
The challenge (and importance) of providing continuing education for experienced people within an organization 



Featured Guest: 

Name: Bill Hurles
Title: Executive Director, Supply Chain at General Motors (Retired)
What he does: After several years on GM’s engineering side, Bill began working in manufacturing as a skilled trade supervisor at a GM transmission plant. At this time, the automaker was focused on lean manufacturing. While observing the benefits of this approach, he moved into a supply chain management role, then a divisional role in supply chain. He eventually headed the entire North American territory. By the time he retired after 38 years with GM, Bill was directing its global supply chain. 
Connect: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-hurles-455265b8/ (LinkedIn)https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-hawver-17394220 ( )

Next Best Action(s): Do This Now for the Future of Your Supply ChainIn the auto industry, we "count on the tiered supply nation," says Bill. To ensure the success of their supply chains in the future, he thinks OEMs need to take more control of sub-tier components and commodities. 


Other industries, like electronics — Apple is a prime example — "have a much more defined responsibility there," he adds. "I could see a day where the OEMs actually purchase the material."
 
OEMs could even warehouse and distribute this material so they're able to control both quantity and usage. The more control a manufacturer has over each element of the supply chain, the more it reduces the complexity of its manufacturing process. 


"Especially in light of today's environment, we need to help manage our own destiny at a stronger level than we ever have in the past," Bill says.


https://auto-supply-chain.captivate.fm/24-processes-free-downlaod (At the heart of The Prophets’ vision are “The 24 Essential Supply Chain Processes.” What are they? Find out, and see the future yourself. Click here )
Episode HighlightsTimestamped inflection points from the show


[3:46] The green book: When Bill started working at a GM transmission plant, the company was using what they called its “green book,” a manual of guidelines based on the Toyota Production System. It exposed him to lean manufacturing and showed him how well it eliminated waste and increased efficiency.


[5:34] Greater than the sum of its parts: Many have pointed to the recent semiconductor crisis as proof that lean manufacturing doesn’t work. Bill calls this “myopic,” because lean and Just in Time is an entire system, not an event. The system as a whole works. 


[6:27] Room for improvement: The semiconductor crisis is not the fault of lean manufacturing. Rather, Bill thinks it’s critical for suppliers and OEMs to dig deep and scrutinize their supply chains. They need to look at...