Spotlights & Successes
Paying it Forward!
Ben Slattery began his service as an AIAG volunteer when he initiated the CQI-32 Bar Steel project beginning in December 2022. As an OEM engineer specialist in chassis materials who supports all material requests and development for steering, brakes, suspension sprigs and dampers, driver interview controls, HVAC, powertrain cooling, induction, fuels, and exhaust commodities, Slattery was a natural fit to lead the work group.
“I volunteer because I have experienced the benefits of utilizing other AIAG documents within my current and previous roles,” he says. Volunteering with AIAG supports his role in providing and reviewing materials-related content of engineering standard work documents for General Motors.
The Bar Steel Work Group is developing a best-practices guidance document to streamline bar steel management processes, thereby improving quality and delivering robust products to meet industry and customer-specific requirements. The document includes guidance for managing defect detection, prevention, reaction, and process control and monitoring. Slattery points out that a common assessment will help expedite and guide supplier selection with sourcing changes due to lack of materials or other supply chain issues.
Although his contribution to the CQI-32 Bar Steel Work Group is ongoing, Slattery can already see the benefits. “After its completion, it will aid in the development of a robust bar steel management system that will support the reduction of defects, variation, and scrap within the supply chain with emphasis for continual improvement,” he says. “A standardized assessment will also promote a streamlined approach when reacting to uncontrolled events such as material shortages.”
Slattery makes time to volunteer at AIAG because he believes the organization’s work is critical to the industry. “As a global industry, all automotive OEMs and suppliers need to react quickly to changes while upholding quality in order to succeed. AIAG documents provide the framework to achieve quality, efficiency, and rapid response in an ever-changing environment.”
