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ticipates in some
quick give-and-
take with his fel-
low GM board
members. He's
very cooperative
and easy to work
with."
Kutner is a
member of the
GM Automotive
Strategy Board,
the GM North
American
Strategy Board
and the New
Harold Kutner at his Tech. Center office in Warren.
United Motor
Manufacturing,
plier number will fall from 3,000 to
Inc. Board, which is a joint venture
2,000 over the next few years.
between GM and Toyota. The top 12
"Of course, this reduction is tough
to 14 GM executives serve on the first
on
our
suppliers and their personnel,"
two boards with him as they make the
Kutner
said, "and we're continually
major day-to-day decisions for GM's
working with them to make sure
overall operations.
everything is carried out in an effi-
Kutner ranks globalization of the
cient manner. Also, major consolida-
GM purchasing business as one of his
tions are taking place in both the auto
most significant accomplishments.
and supplier industries today ... merg-
"Globalization in today's fiercely com-
ers, acquisitions, etc. It's a hectic time
petitive worldwide marketplace has
for everyone.
been the major driver of change in
Despite a challenge from second-
recent years at GM," he said. "We've
place
Ford on total vehicle sales and
gone all out to make the worldwide
market
share, Kutner foresees GM
purchasing group a global organiza-
retaining
its position as the top auto-
tion, which now offers our suppliers
motive
manufacturer
in the world.
unprecedented volume levels and
"When
a
company
produces
and sells
opportunities to expand worldwide.
8.6
million
high-quality
vehicles
"The real growth markets of the
annually on a global basis, it possesses
21st century are outside North
worldwide
leadership, and I don't see
America and Western Europe, and it's
GM relinquishing the No. 1 status to
easier than ever for global companies
anyone," he said.
to manufacture virtually any product
What does Kutner think of the
in virtually any region. This trend
Mercedes
"merger" with Chrysler and
toward globalization creates a great
the formation of ChryslerDaimler
opportunity for everyone."
AG?
On a daily basis, Kutner and his
"It's a major defeat for American
top aides sit in a conference room and
enterprise,"
he declared. "It was sim-
use satellite video conferencing to talk
ply
a
takeover
of an American compa-
to GM purchasing managers through-
ny
by
a
German
company. The large
out the world who make recommen-
imprint
of
the
German
company is all
dations on major sourcing decisions.
over
what's
left
of
Chrysler.
The
Computers and the Internet now play
departure of many employees from
a major role in the globalization
Chrysler (including Steve Harris to
efforts. For the sheer complexity of
GM) shows how they feel about it."
the global purchasing business, having
In his worldwide position, Kutner
to move thousands of vehicle parts
travels
about 200,000 air miles a year,
among thousands of suppliers, we just
visiting
each continent four times. He
couldn't operate without computers,"
speaks a "little bit of German and
Kutner said.
Spanish," which helps in his travels.
His biggest challenge continues to
He's away from home one week per
be shrinking the supplier base. The
month, sometimes more. All of that
auto industry began several years ago
travel was tough on the family when
to consolidate and reduce the total
the children were younger, but now
number of supplier companies with
his wife goes with him on many trips
whom they do business in order to
and "the traveling has become more
cut costs. The suppliers also are being
enjoyable," he said.
asked to trim prices. At GM, the sup-
"