Affinia Group Unveils World Smart Strategy

Affinia Group Inc. has unveiled its new "World Smart" business philosophy, which the company says emphasizes a unique transformational approach to global manufacturing. Affinia said during the past six years it has taken control of its global supply chain with an innovative approach to global commerce.

The World Smart direction assures consistent product quality regardless of where a product is manufactured globally, according to the company.

"Anyone can go off-shore and source low-cost aftermarket products," said Affinia President and CEO Terry McCormack, who unveiled the strategy during the recent AAPEX trade show in Las Vegas. "As a World Smart company, Affinia not only manufactures competitively priced products off-shore, we do so in a manner that assures the highest possible quality. This is the ‘smart’ portion of "World Smart."

According to McCormack, Affinia’s World Smart business strategy is based on four key strategic elements – customer-centric focus, involved Affinia people, continual improvement and supplier relationships. The World Smart model vertically integrates manufacturing from product development to distribution. Affinia says it has invested substantially since its formation in 2004 to leverage each of these strategic elements for the benefit of Affinia customers.

"Our World Smart business model signifies to our customers, our people, our investors and our trade partners that Affinia Group is dedicated to participating in global commerce in a responsible and sustainable manner," he said. "Ultimately, the benefits are focused on our customers and the end users of our products."

When Affinia Group was formed in December 2004 from the aftermarket business units of Dana Corp., the company was largely a North American focused company. Through a comprehensive global transformation, Affinia today manufactures products in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, South America, Europe, Asia and India.

"Our World Smart model is anchored by Affinia people and based on the recognition that the next great idea for our company and our customers could originate anywhere in the world just as easily as it could in North America," McCormack said.

"Collaboration among Affinia people today is occurring across time zones and geographic borders," he continued. "With great minds working around the clock, all around the globe, continual improvement has become a way of life for us."

In addition to a focus on globally competitive, high-quality manufacturing, the Affinia World Smart business strategy also emphasizes respect for diversity of languages, cultures and ways of life. Operational sustainability and environmental stewardship are central elements in Affinia’s global approach.

"Our World Smart model is a natural extension of our commitment to being a purpose-driven company," McCormack said. "Everywhere we do business, our World Smart focus enhances how we manufacture and support our products, offer our services and enrich relationships with people in the workplace and beyond."

When Your Shop Is Worth Much More Than You Thought

Although every sale of a shop in which I am involved has its own unique set of circumstances, which makes my job both very interesting and very challenging, Cowden Automotive stands out as particularly memorable because I was able to demonstrate to the long-time owner, Paul Cowden, that his business was worth about three times what he had initially thought.

Case Study: Owner of San Francisco-based Import Service Shop Delighted to Discover Just How Valuable His Business is to Qualified Buyers
I sometimes share case studies of the clients I have been able to assist in my role as an aftermarket business broker and provider of intermediary and advisory services. I do that when I think the story will provide a reader in similar circumstances with new insights or helpful information.
In the case of Cowden Automotive, Inc., I acted in a consulting capacity assisting the owner and his broker in valuing the business, creating a marketing plan, finding a qualified buyer, and arranging financing for the sale.
Although every sale of a shop in which I am involved has its own unique set of circumstances, which makes my job both very interesting and very challenging, Cowden Automotive stands out as particularly memorable because I was able to demonstrate to the long-time owner, Paul Cowden, that his business was worth about three times what he had initially thought.
Needless to say, delivering that kind of good news to a shop owner is a rewarding experience. Discovering that the sale of his business would result in his retirement nest-egg being substantially larger than he had ever thought was a fitting tribute to someone who had spent his entire working career as a busy automotive service shop owner.

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