Audi 2013 Annual Report Download - page 54

Many people, one vision : the drive for perfection. The constant
pursuit of above-average standards requires a perfect base
from the outset, upon which everyone can contribute to overall
success. Procurement’s task is to provide that base by finding
those suppliers that offer precisely the materials and provide
exactly the technology that make an Audi so special. “To this
end, we forge partnerships that offer mutual benefits,” ex-
plains Dr. Bernd Martens, Member of the Board of Manage-
ment of AUDI AG for Procurement. Audi is not just constantly
on the lookout for committed, reliable suppliers, but also taps
into innovative sources of supply worldwide, for new materials
for example. Regional Sourcing Offices play a particular role in
this respect. Sourcing scouts track down the most interesting
partners in even the most far-flung corners of the globe. Regular
concept competitions give rise to specific tasks for suppliers.
As part of this process, Audi not only assesses the solutions, but
also the logistical and technical expertise of a supplier – and
helps, where necessary, with the industrialization of an idea.
“Innovation is not a question of size. We support new suppliers,
who are sometimes even new to the industry, throughout
implementation based on partnership,” is how Martens explains
his philosophy. Audi accompanies young innovation drivers
from the outset as a partner on an equal footing, for example
with checking locations or tools, and throughout the optimi-
zation of production processes. Potential suppliers also have
the opportunity to showcase their capabilities at innovation
forums, congresses and trade fairs.
It is a long way from the drawing board to the road. Audi
installs up to 12,000 parts in each of its cars – and, as
the following examples show, each one tells its own manu-
facturing story.
High-quality and responsible
It is not only the quality of suppliers, but also the sustainability
of the materials used that is important to Audi. In January 2013,
AUDI AG joined the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative.
The initiative aims to develop a sustainability standard for alumi-
num by the end of 2014 by stipulating governance, environmental
and social standards that apply from raw material extraction and
processing to the end product.
As the pioneer of the self-supporting aluminum body, Audi
is utilizing this process to influence the entire value chain for
one of its key materials. As such, the life cycle assessment
of Audi can be improved further in future thanks to certified
aluminum.
www.aluminium-stewardship.org
PHOTOS : AUDI AG
Fuel consumption and emission figures at the end of the Annual Report
THINK VALUABLE
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