UAW picketing began Friday at the Stellantis Jeep supplier park in Toledo, Ohio. Employees of those two suppliers qualified for UAW strike benefits.
The UAW Strike and Financial Challenges for Suppliers
The ongoing strike by the UAW against the Detroit 3 automakers has added additional financial strain to an already precarious situation for suppliers. Industry experts suggest that the automakers may share some responsibility for this situation.
Since the UAW strike against General Motors in 2019, suppliers have been facing financial pressure due to various factors such as uneven production schedules, high material costs, a tight labor market, and component shortages like microchips.
Tier 1 suppliers have been requesting pricing concessions from automakers to compensate for increased costs but have often faced limited success. As a result, Tier 2 suppliers have been hit even harder, creating a tense situation throughout the entire supply chain despite the automakers’ high profits.
Challenges Faced by Suppliers
According to industry experts, suppliers have been struggling to manage their businesses and control costs, but this explanation only goes so far. Suppliers have been dealing with rising costs, fixed-price contracts, and difficulties in obtaining relief from their customers, which has affected their profitability.
While some suppliers have received assistance from automakers or Tier 1 customers, many Tier 2 and Tier 3 companies with smaller profit margins and customer diversity still find themselves in a fragile financial position.
The Aftermath of the Strike
As the UAW strike progresses, larger Tier 1 suppliers are closely monitoring the health of their subsuppliers. The strike’s duration and potential expansion to more plants could further strain the financial stability of the supply chain.
Once the strike ends, automakers will likely expect a quick return to full production. However, suppliers may face challenges in ramping up production on short notice, especially if they have depleted their inventory or had to lay off workers during the strike.
Suppliers should communicate with automakers to ensure realistic expectations for ramping up production. This is important because contracts between suppliers and automakers often include financial penalties if production does not accelerate as expected.
