The Global Materials Management Operations Guideline/Logistics Evaluation (MMOG/LE), jointly developed by the North American Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) and ODETTE International, is a standardised self-assessment and continuous improvement tool specifically designed to provide automotive suppliers with a means to measure and streamline their material planning and logistics (MP&L) processes. The tool is used globally and is presently available in 13 languages.

Since starting the update from Version 2 in May 2008 over 130 change requests (CRs) have been received from OEMs and suppliers in the USA, Europe and Asia. The CRs have been classified, prioritised and addressed by an international team of experts through several face-to-face meetings and more than 40 web meetings and conference calls.

The resulting Version 3 of the MMOG/LE incorporates more explanation, new features and improved functionality and is due to be presented at the October Logistics Committee meeting in Paris for final approval and subsequent release on 3 November 2009. The key changes include:

• improved wording and explanation to assist clarity of understanding and use of the tool by Tier 2+ suppliers
• increased compatibility with ISO/TS16949 and “lean practices”
• enhanced Gap Analysis to better support the development and management of improvement action plans, including: filtering options, data validation routines and colour-coding to highlight processes requiring specific attention
• introduction of visual management reports including Radar Charts, and a Progression Chart that provides a graphical representation of the scoring progress based on the action plan target dates entered in the Gap Analysis
• introduction of a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) website and Further Information contact details to advise users where to obtain advice, training and translated copies of MMOG/LE
• technical enhancements to assist document navigation and to make the tool more user-friendly, including: hyperlinks, toggle keys and filtering options.

Jeff Turner, the European project leader from SMMT Industry Forum, says: “The MMOG/LE is already a well-established assessment tool that is used world-wide. The AIAG/Odette project team has worked really hard to ensure that the improvements incorporated in Version 3 reflect the increased expectations of MP&L within the automotive industry and reinforce MMOG/LE’s status as the No. 1 assessment tool. The draft document has been rigorously tested by several experienced users and the team has received strong endorsements for Version 3. We encourage all organisations to adopt this version as soon as they are able to do so”.

Translation work has already started in readiness for the launch and we are delighted that IVECO, one of our new members from Italy, will be creating the first Italian language version.

There has been a great deal of interest in this new version, especially from German vehicle manufacturers and suppliers, who will join the ever growing list of companies that are promoting and using the tool, either internally, or with their suppliers.

The list today includes the following:

In total, over 15,000 evaluations have been carried out around the world to date and this number will certainly continue to grow with the launch of Version 3.

For anyone interested in training, we have published a list of preferred training providers across Europe and in Brazil.

For more information, please contact Friedel Vogel, Programme Manager – Logistics.