SA Automotive Supplier Makes Moves on Global Supply

7 Mar 08

Following on from the visit to Australia in February this year by automotive sales and marketing company, Kenmar Corporation, Adelaide-based company Intercast & Forge visited Detroit in September.

Kenmar Corporation is the sales and marketing representative for Australian automotive suppliers as appointed by Team Australia Automotive (TAA). TAA is an initiative of Industry Capability Network Ltd (ICNL), Austrade, Federation of Automotive Products Manufacturers and the Governments of South Australia and Victoria under the Federal Government Supplier Access to Major Projects Global program.

During the Detroit visit, Intercast & Forge General Manager, Sales and Marketing, Bob Thomas, took the opportunity to investigate the automotive industry supply chain in the US.

Intercast & Forge is considering supplying high volume cast iron automotive parts to global markets such as the US to replace a diminishing local automotive market. The visit was hailed a success as it enabled the company to market itself to the US automotive industry as a global supply chain supplier, gain valuable knowledge on the size of the US market and establish firm contacts within the US automotive industry for future projects.

Intercast & Forge has already received several requests for quotes (RFQs) from US companies and is anticipating receiving a further three. Feedback on a completed RFQ from American company SMW Automotive has already been received.

While being acknowledged by the Detroit automotive industry for its modern, sophisticated foundry and forge facilities and high quality processing, capacity and service, the only identified barrier to winning future supply contracts is the unprecedented current high value of the $A. Intercast & Forge is currently completing several RFQs as a benchmarking exercise.

Knowledge gained from this benchmarking activity will enable the company to identify future capital investment requirements and develop collaborative partnerships with other local businesses.

As a result of this ICN-led TAA initiative, Intercast & Forge is now regarded by the US automotive industry as a serious contender for future global supply chain contracts. Whilst hoping for a more favourable $A, Bob Thomas expects that the company could be participating in the US supply chain from early 2008.

For further information, please contact: Derek Lark, Industry Capability Network Limited

Or click here to visit Intercast and Forge's ManufactureLink supplier showroom.

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