Mazda declared a preparation of new technology launch in order to replace “SKYACTIV” which was the technology used in current models of Mazda’s vehicles. The new technology consisted of variety of vehicle models with join-implementation designs of structures and parts while uniqueness of each model remained unchanged. The question is: how does the new technology to replace “SKYACTIV” affect the procurement department? Mr. Kazuhisa Fujikawa, senior executive of Mazda who is responsible for Global Purchasing and Cost Innovation has provided answers through the following interviews.  

Q: Does the new technology of the company change the operation of the procurement department? 

A: “In the past 5 years, there have been changes occurred with our procurement department in order to follow the situation of the world’s markets. However, things may be completely changed after the launch of the new technology.”  

Q: What does that mean? 

A: “There is a need to join the QC department and the logistics department, together with the development department, the production department, and the procurement department while the production process is under operation. We have laid the system within every region either in Japan or overseas such as Thailand and Mexico to make sure that they have the same standard in terms of the production method, and the product quality control process, including suppliers and packaging. We call the method “Single Engineering”.

“Currently, the development and the quality control in Mexico are different from other countries. We don’t think it is an efficient method. We want to change that and try to find an appropriate method for each part, including listening to suppliers’ opinions in order to achieve the utmost efficiency of the supply chain.”  

Q: Does this change the car manufacturing? 

A: “Despite different vehicle models, we can still work together by only changing the jig. Thus, whether Japan, Thailand, or Mexico, they are able to produce the same part model as well as to plan for part production expansion outside the company. However, if the 5 departments cannot uniquely work together, the operation cannot be achieved. I have to tell you that this is an idealized vehicle production of Mazda. We are under the preparation to achieve the operation in the future.”     

Q: Is it a flexible production as desire? 

A: “Since Mazda’s production scale is not large, the procurement department might be our weakness. However, we want to change it to be our strength. Thus, we have to have local suppliers of the 5 departments to facilitate their communications. With the good operation of the structure, there will be a big change of the procurement department.”  

Q: What about the direction of the plant, in cooperation with Toyota, which is under construction in Alabama?

A: “We cannot disclose the information of the plant since it is the cooperation with our former competitor, especially the information of the procurement department which is under the International Antitrust Law. It is important to avoid the exchange of cost to anyone.  At present, we are under the accurate operation with guidance of our legal department.”