2010 IRN MATERIALS survey

Industry Update: Dealing with Volatility in Raw Material Prices - June 2010

IRN has recently published the “2010 Industry Update: Dealing with Volatility in Raw Material Prices” based on 202 surveys received from 170 automotive suppliers. The survey results help companies gauge their own activities relative to protecting their raw material requirements and provide insight into the current dynamics of the auto industry in this area. There have been significant changes in this area since the previous survey was completed in 2008! To learn more, order a copy of the full report for US$99, download and complete the order form here, and fax it to IRN at (616) 785-5163.

2009 IRN pricing survey

Industry in Transition: The Dynamics of Supplier-Customer Power - December 2009

For the first time in over a decade, our new supplier survey suggests the top-performing suppliers may be tilting the power equation in their favor. We broadened the study this year to include topics covering financial health, systemic changes as a result of the severe downturn in 2009, and how suppliers are re-balancing the risks and rewards of the industry. In addition, IRN’s seventh biennial survey asked the core questions on price reduction requests that we have been reporting on since 1997. Topics covered include:

• How much of a price reduction have customers been asking for?
• How much of a reduction, if any, have suppliers agreed to?
• What are the implications of price concessions on suppliers’ future business with an OEM?
• Are any suppliers getting price increases?
• How successful have suppliers been in reducing their cost structure?
• Is takeover work having a significant impact on supplier business?
• Has the relative power between suppliers and their customers shifted?
• …And more!

Click here to view the NA Table of Contents for the report. To order a copy of the report for US $250, please download and complete the attached order form and fax to IRN Inc. at (616) 785-5163.

There is a great deal of value to be gained when using the survey information as a strategic discussion point. Given IRN’s extensive knowledge of the automotive industry, its players and dynamics, we are offering you the opportunity to have our senior management lead a two-hour presentation and discussion of the results and how they might apply to your business. The fee is $2,000 (plus out-of-pocket expenses) and includes an enterprise-wide PDF version of the report (for unlimited use within one organization). If you are interested in more information or to schedule a meeting, please contact us by e-mail at survey@think-irn.com. 

2008 MATERIALS SURVEY
Industry in Crisis: Dealing With the Rapid Rise in Raw Material Prices – June 2008

IRN Inc. has recently completed a report on the results of a survey of 150 automotive suppliers on their experience and plans relative to this year’s rapid and extreme increases in the price of raw materials, particularly steel.

Of the survey respondents that use steel, 96% said that they had experienced price increases in the last three months significant enough to require relief from customers. This is clearly a phenomenon that is industry-wide, far outside any individual company’s ability to manage on its own. The survey questions covered topics such as the scope of this problem, the tools companies are using to address it, and what nature of negotiations is expected for the various customers. Click here to view the Table of Contents for the report. To order a copy of the report for US $99, please download and complete the attached order form and fax to IRN Inc. at (616) 785-5163.

EUROPEAN PRICING SURVEY
The Price Reduction Requests of Selected European Automobile Manufacturers 2006

The companion study conducted in Europe by Hans-Andreas Fein & Associates and IRN was published in January, 2007, and covers the same topics as reported by suppliers to the German and French automakers. The survey responses showed the French volume producers to be at the lower end of the spectrum in their price reduction requests, and the European automakers in the survey to be making lower requests than their North American counterparts thus far.

This report is also available from IRN for US$250. Click here to view the European Table of Contents.