GlobalSupplier - Daimler

Editorial
Facing the New Year with Confidence
1. 01. . . . . . . 2002 . . 2002
As 2001 rapidly draws to a close, we
find that even a brief look back at all
that we have achieved together this year
necessarily includes the effects of those
terrible events on September 11. I’m sure
that I speak for all of our employees
and business partners when I say that
the unspeakable brutality of this horrific
attack has shocked us all to an extent
exceeding even our worst fears.
Many of our employees, suppliers and
dealers have expressed their solidarity and
generously offered their help. In support
of their initiative and, at the same time,
to demonstrate our own commitment to
relieving the human suffering, Daimler-
Chrysler has established a charitable relief
fund to benefit the children of those who
perished so cruelly on September 11. In
particular, I would like to express
my heartfelt gratitude to our suppliers,
who have been especially forthcoming in
their prompt response to our appeal for
donations.
To achieve the corporate goals set for the
year now coming to an end, Daimler-
Chrysler has continued to take consistent,
proactive steps.
In all areas and units of the Group,
including, of course, a significant effort at
Global Procurement and Supply, business
processes are continually being optimised
and streamlined on a global scale, with
particular stress being placed on the everincreasing
importance of e-Business. While
doing so, we have had firm, energetic
support from you, our supplier partners. I
wish to express my sincere thanks for this
action on our part. Despite all the abominations
and adversities of recent months,
we have, nevertheless, made significant
progress in 2001 in setting up the world’s
most effective supplier network.
Although it is difficult to predict our
performance in the coming year, the
Group’s third quarter results do indicate
that we are on the right path, also with
regard to our restructuring at Chrysler. In
2002, we shall move forward in the same
consistent manner. You will find numerous
examples of our activities in this latest
issue of Global Supplier. In our lead story,
you will find out many new and interesting
facts about the current status of the
model refinement for the Actros, the
centrepiece of Mercedes-Benz Commercial
Vehicle Division, which will be presented
in the fall of next year at the IAA commercial-vehicle
show. Working closely with
supply partners, our engineers and stylists
have turned some great ideas into trendsetting
innovations. Go ahead and see
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for yourself! Another example of our
continuing improvements is the introduction
of the External Balanced Scorecard,
a tool which enables us to measure the
performance of our supply partners in
the critical areas of quality, systems
costs, technology and supply in a clear,
well-structured manner. Using it, supplier
performance can be readily analysed and,
if necessary, used as a basis for developing
joint approaches for improvement. This
system will permit even more open,
balanced and thus far more effective communication
with our supply partners. The
establishment of a Singapore-based South
Asian procurement office that is ready and
willing to provide many forms of assistance
and support, to our suppliers is another
significant step in this direction. I urge
our suppliers to take full advantage of this
mutually beneficial opportunity.
I wish all of you a pleasant, peaceful
Christmas season and great success in
the new year. In closing, I would like to
once again remind you of our charitable
endeavours and ask you to contribute to
our newly established relief fund, whose
account information is provided elsewhere
in this issue.
Gary C.Valade
Executive Vice President,
Global Procurement &Supply,
DaimlerChrysler AG