FORD MOTOR CO.

Ford is Rising Back From the Dead

Ford is Rising Back From the Dead

Ford Motor company is one of the main automotive producers in the globe. It produces and delivers vehicles all over the world. Ford's automotive vehicle brands include Lincoln, Ford, Volvo, and Mercury. Ford mostly functions in Europe and the US. Ford has 80 manufacturing facilities globally. This is a applied research paper that discusses how Ford Motor Company is rising back from the dead or in other words regaining its previous productivity and quality and how the company can solve the problems it has been facing.

The worldwide marketplace deals with various issues which have an effect on its general operations and management. Ford Motor Company is well known as the top most industry specialists in the world. During Ford's starting years, the Ford company was almost not noticeable from its creator. “Fordism” was a system of mass production which joined the standards of "scientific management" with modern industrialized methods, for example the 'assembly line'. It produced unbelievable revenues for his company. Fordism factually transformed production on an international level within 20 years of its execution.

This paper is about Ford Motor Company getting back to its roots, the heritage it started with the development of the moving assembly line and the original concept of Lean Manufacturing. This paper will focus on the creative steps outlined in the Process to Sustained Success procedure toward the journey of Lean Manufacturing. In addition, the current state of production processes, and recommended specific corrective actions for the re-innovation of Ford Motor Company to a sustained lean enterprise in a modern era will be discussed.

Analysis of Problem

The objective of this paper is to provide a unique philosophy and structure as given in the "Process to Sustained Success" diagram to form the basis for re-innovating Ford Motor Company to continued profitability and continuous improvement.

This paper doesn't intend to address every detail of Lean Manufacturing concepts and the application of specific techniques toward Ford Motor Company's manufacturing processes, but to develop the mindset and philosophy needed to confront the brutal reality that Ford's manufacturing and product development systems need to evolve from its heritage. (Steven, 2004)

Through out the historical review of Ford Motor Company one thing became apparent in this research - Ford Motor Company lacks a structured and standardized approach to manufacturing continuous improvement prohibiting the re-innovation to a lean enterprise and direct competition with Toyota Motor Manufacturing Corporation. Can Ford achieve sustained success implementing "The Way Forward" plan, or does "The Way Forward" plan need to incorporate the "Process to Sustained Success" to meet Ford's long-term goals? The benchmark company for comparison is Toyota Motor Manufacturing Company.

A New Vision for Ford Motor Company - The Way Forward Plan

Announced on 23 January 2006, William Clay Ford, Jr. introduced the new President of the Americas, Mark Fields, and Mr. Fields' new direction to right the failing company. The plan Mr. Fields introduced: "The Future Forward".

According to Mark Fields, the success of Ford Motor ...